Start a career as a garden center staff
HOW TO START A CAREER AS A GARDEN CENTER STAFF
Garden center staffs are in charge of planting and keeping plants on a commercial basis. They are usually seen at garden centers where plants and flowers are grown to be sold to the members of the general public. However, they are a part of the horticulture industry and perform vital tasks to the benefits of the members of the public.
These are the responsibilities of garden center staffs:
- Growing of plants, planting of bulbs, sowing seeds, cultivation of cuttings and transferring of the seedlings to containers and pots.
- Nurturing of plants by watering, pruning, weeding, and eliminating pests and diseases.
- Ensure the tools and machinery like tractors, mowers, and chainsaws are in excellent condition.
- Laying of paths
- Provision of professional advice to clients.
- Ensuring the light, humidity, and temperature in the greenhouses is regulated.
- Planning of the ornamental features in the garden.
Garden center staffs usually work forty hours every week. Their hours of operation could fall within any weather condition. If you are starting your career, your salary could be within the range of £10,000 to £15,000 each year.
HOW TO START A CAREER AS A GARDEN CENTER STAFF
It is common knowledge that more than £20 million is spent on plants and other gardening products on an annual basis. We have more than eighteen million gardens in the United Kingdom, and there are countless job opportunities for individuals who want to have a career in the field. There is a surge in the demand for experienced personnel who are in need of employment opportunities.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
There are no formal entry requirements for working as a garden center staff, but some employers require prospective employees to provide GCSE’s/S grades (A-C/1-3), especially in science subjects, or a BTEC First Diploma in Land-based Industries or Horticulture. Most major botanical gardens often request for a qualification in the horticultural field.
You can take advantage of full-time and part-time courses to gain insight into horticulture. These are some of the courses you can study:
- City & Guilds National Certificate in Horticulture and Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture.
- BTEC first, national and diploma awards, and higher national certificate/diploma awards in horticulture.
- NVQ’s/SVQ’s in Horticulture and related subjects at Levels 1 to 4.
- General Examination in Horticulture, the RHS Advanced Certificate, and RHS Diploma offered by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
To undergo an apprenticeship program with the National Trust, applicants are required to have four GCSE’s/five S grades (A-C/1-3), including Mathematics, English and science, or equivalent qualifications. With this program, you will be working with an employer. According to the survey, apprentices get paid on a weekly basis.
