Horticultural Apprentice

The salary for this position is £26,554 per annum [Student Pay Grade]

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

The two-year Kew apprenticeship is a foundation entry position designed for people desiring a professional career at senior craft level in botanical horticulture. Apprentices are employed on a salary and training fees are included.

A Kew apprentice will gain work experience in each of the two horticultural sections: Temperate Collections, and Glasshouse Collections. As part of this work experience, on-the-job training will be arranged and delivered by garden managers and trainers, with a focus on practical skills using real tasks cultivating plants in our collections and landscapes. Personal development is encouraged with a two-week staff exchange partly funded to a European botanic garden or plant collection and a travel scholarship opportunity for two-weeks.

Each apprentice will be granted day release to attend a local horticultural college, where they will study and prepare for the horticulture operative Trailblazer apprenticeship standard.

Job Profile
Job Profile Document V1 Oct 2025
Section 1: Job Description
Job Title: Kew Apprentice Post No:
Band: A pprentice grade Job family: Horticulture
Directorate: G ardens Directorate Section/Dept: School of B otanical Horticulture /
Horticulture, Kew
No. of Direct Reports: none No. of Indirect Reports: none
Reports to (Position): Practical Training Manager / Local placement Supervisor
Job Purpose:
To del iver RBG Kew's mission by fully participating in the Kew Apprenticeship in Horticulture programme, fulfilling the
required practical requirements of the course and achieving Trailblazer apprenticeship standard at level 2, while
contributing to a range of activities that inspire and educate visitors and support the conservation and research
functions of the organisation.
Job Context:
This role comes under the School of Botanical Horticulture. The Kew Apprentices are employed to undertake a 2-year
programme during which time they are expected to gain craft level skills in each of the 2 Sections of the Gardens
Directorate Kew site
Accountabilities :
1. Complete the required academic and practical training requirements of the Kew Apprenticeship as
outlined in the apprenticeship handbook, prioritising workload and requirements appropriately. 20%
2. Undertake required horticultural tasks, either alone or in teams, to a performance standard agreed
with the placement line manager. Participate in on-the-job training, to become competent in a broad
range of horticultural tasks and record this through use of the daily work record and the Practical
Training Log
30%
3. Help maintain a positive approach in the workplace. Give and receive feedback on work
performance with supervisor or manger and seek clarity to resolve any misunderstandings that may
occur.
20%
4. Interact with public and other professionals visiting the Gardens in a positive and professional
manner. Consistently convey a professional image, maintaining suitable appearance, manner and
social skills.
15%
5. Undertake up to 6 weekend duties per annum (however more may be available) 5%
6. Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety regulations and procedures, ensuring that equipment
and machinery issued is kept safe and securely.
15%
Management of Resources
Financial Responsibilities : All staff are responsible for management of their own time and resources.
.
1. Ensure that the individual book and equipment allowance is used to provide the materials necessary for
completion of the course

Applicants:

• · must not be enrolled on another apprenticeship
• · must be 16 or over after the last Friday in June of the start year
• · must be able to complete the apprenticeship in the 2 years
• · must not have a full level 2 or higher qualification in Horticulture
• · must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom and undertake the apprenticeship training
• · Must have right of abode and have been an ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship and have the right to work in the UK.
• · Not be participating in any other funded education or training, including school or college courses

If you have not had a job before please tell us about relevant experience from school or college.

Interviews are due to take place on 8 & 15 December.

Job Profile
Job Profile Document V1 Oct 2025
2. Ensure annual leave allowance is as per apprentice handbook
Management of People
1.
2.
Position within the Team -
School of Botanical Horticulture Living Collections - Kew
Head of School of
Botanical Horticulture
Hort Technician Practical Training
Manager
Horticultural
Apprentices
Admin Officer
Admin Assistant
Other learning
programmes
Kew Diploma, KSC, Intro
2 Hort
Living Collections
Curator
Head of Temperate
collections
(Arboretum)
Managers &
Supervisors
Botanical
Horticulturists
Horticultural
Apprentice & other
learners
Head of Temperate
Collections
(Gardens)
Managers &
Supervisors
Botanical
Horticulturists
Horticultural
Apprentice and
other learners
Head of
Glasshouse
Collections
Managers &
Supervisors
Botanical
Horticulturists
Horticultural
Apprentice & other
learners