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Pathway summary

Horticulture

Framework:
Horticulture
Level:
2/3/4

If you are interested in working outdoors, enjoy working with plants or are interested in maintaining grounds used for sport and/or recreation, horticulture may be the career for you.

Horticulture is a broad and varied industry that can be split into four main areas and involves many different aspects of working with and maintaining the land, for pleasure, leisure and food.

1. Landscaping

2. Production horticulture.

3. Sports turf and golf greenkeeping 

4. Parks, gardens and green spaces

There are many different types of jobs available in horticulture, for example, you may wish to become a gardener growing and maintaining plants or a greenkeeper looking after specific grounds, or a production manager producing salad and fruit for retail.

Pathway options and levels

Horticulture - Level 2

Supports the roles of Gardener, Landscaper, Nursery Worker, Fruit and Vegetable Production Worker, Cemetery Worker, Greenkeeper and Groundsman.

Horticulture - Level 3

Supports the roles of Horticultural Technician, Deputy Head Greenkeeper, Deputy Head Groundsman, Garden Designer, Senior Gardener, Gardener (Historic and Botanic) and Parks Officer.

Horticulture - Level 4

Supports the roles of Golf Course Manager, Landscape Manager, Head Gardener, Nursery Manager, and Production Manager.

Further information

Duration

Level 2: 24 months

Level 3: 24 months 

Level 4: 30 months 

Progression routes

Level 2 Routes include:

  • Employment
  • Level 3 Diploma/Apprenticeship.

Level 3 Routes include:

  • Employment
  • Higher Education courses such as a HNC/D
  • Level 4 Diploma/apprenticeship.

Level 4 Routes Include:

  • Employment
  • Higher Education courses such as a HNC/D.

Qualifications

Level 2: Diploma in Work-based Horticulture

Level 3: Diploma in Work-based Horticulture

Level 4: Diploma in Work-based Horticulture

What are the entry requirements for this pathway?

All apprenticeship pathways in Wales have entry requirements.
If you are interested in undertaking this pathway – you need to have the following entry level qualification(s);

Level 2

Level 2: There are no entry requirements for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Horticulture, however, a strong interest in and commitment to the sector is vital for successful completion of the programme.

Additionally, there are qualifications and courses that will help learners understand the sector prior to starting:

  • Level 1 Certificate in Land-based Operations
  • Level 1 Diploma in Horticulture
  • Level 1 Diploma in Work-based Horticulture
  • Level 1 NVQ in Amenity/Production Horticulture
  • Level 1 Diploma in Practical Horticulture Skills
  • Level 1 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Work-based Land-based Operations
  • RHS Introductory Award in Practical Horticulture
  • Level 1 RHS Award in Practical Horticulture
  • GCSEs/A levels 

Level 3

Level 3: A strong interest in and commitment to the sector is vital for successful completion of the programme.

Practical experience within the Horticulture industry is recommended at this level.

Additionally, there are qualifications and courses that will help learners understand the sector prior to starting  such as

  • Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Horticulture
  • Level 2 NVQ in Amenity/Production Horticulture
  • Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture Skills
  • Level 2 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture
  • Level 2 BTEC Extended Certificate in Sports and Amenity Turf Management
  • Level 2 Certificate in Gardening
  • Level 2 Certificate in Garden Design
  • Level 2 RHS Certificate in Practical Horticulture
  • Level 2 RHS Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture
  • Level 2 RHS Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development
  • Level 2 RHS Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance
  • Level 2 RHS Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture
  • 3 GCSEs (A*-C) /A levels

Level 4

Level 4: A strong interest in and commitment to the sector is vital for successful completion of the programme.

Practical experience within the Horticulture industry is recommended at this level.

The Horticulture industry want the entry requirements for the Higher Apprenticeship to be flexible, so therefore has suggested that one of the following should be completed:

Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Horticulture

Level 3 NVQ in Amenity/Production Horticulture

Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture Skills

Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture

Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sports and Amenity Turf Management

Level 3 Certificate in Gardening

Level 3 Certificate in Garden Design

Level 3 RHS Certificate in Practical Horticulture

Level 3 RHS Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture

Level 3 RHS Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development

Level 3 RHS Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance

2 AS/A levels

View full pathway

Document revisions

12 November 2021