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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Horticulrural Workers in Somerset CLCI: WAD CRCI: HB Horticultural workers work in plant nurseries, garden centres, parks and gardens. They also work for landscape contractors. The work involves producing and caring for fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants. Sometimes it includes selling. There are different types of horticulture including production (the growing side), amenity (parks, gardens and sports pitches) and selling (mainly through garden centres). To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your Careers or Connexions library THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HORTICULTURAL WORKERS IN SOMERSET There are plant nurseries and garden centres throughout Somerset. Most are on the outskirts of towns or in country areas. Most are small organisations and are often family run. Some of the garden centres are part of larger companies with many other branches elsewhere. District councils in Somerset are responsible for parks, gardens and sports pitches. Other jobs exist at show gardens, stately homes, historic properties and private sports clubs. HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go to college full-time to do a horticultural course   Start as a trainee – or apprentice – with a horticultural business and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   GCSEs in English, maths, science and art are useful   BTEC, City and Guilds and NVQ horticulture qualifications at various levels (available at college full-time or through an apprenticeship) More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? A Somerset company has developed a reputation for exporting date palms to the Middle East and Africa WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. Afterwards, wage rates are usually in line with those suggested by the Agricultural Wages Board (which tend to be close to the minimum wage). Overall annual earnings may be anywhere between £10,000 and £20,000. Average earnings for a gardener are around £240-£260 per week. FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   It’s up to you whether you want to do an apprenticeship or go to college full-time   Most horticultural places are out-of-town. This means it’s useful to have your own transport   There are often part-time jobs that you can do when at school or college   It can be cold, wet, muddy, hot, humid work. It can also be dirty!   Hours can be long and awkward. They can also vary according to the time of year   The work can be varied involving all sorts of different jobs and tasks (but it can also be routine)   You need to have a good attitude and be prepared to work hard   As places like show gardens you work to high standards and take great pride in your work WHO DOES THE WORK? John (20) did horticulture at college and, after a successful work experience placement, was offered a part-time job at a large nursery in the Sedgemoor area. This turned into a full-time job when he left college. Now John has gained lots of experience, including exhibiting at major flower shows, and has recently become an assistant manager Sally (19) was always interested in growing plants. After GCSEs she started an apprenticeship in a plant nursery not far from Taunton. During her training Sally learnt about all aspects of the horticultural industry and now has plans to eventually run her own business More Info: A-Z Careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use