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- Tasks: Join our Gardens team to learn and grow your horticultural skills while working outdoors.
- Company: Historic Royal Palaces cares for six stunning palaces, including Hillsborough Castle.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hands-on training, and the chance to work in beautiful gardens.
- Why this job: This role offers a unique opportunity to develop skills in a historic setting while making a positive impact.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+, UK resident, and have Level 1 essential skills in Maths and English.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term contract for two years, starting September 2025.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 22000 £ per year.
Departments: Gardens & Estates
Home Palace: Hillsborough Castle
Status: Fixed Term Contract
Estimated Start date: 1 September 2025
End Date: 1 August 2027
Salary: £21,415.68 subject to review in April
Salary Rate: Per Annum
Days/Hours of work: 36 hours per week (2 year fixed term contract)
About the role and about you
Historic Royal Palaces is a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world including their magnificent historical gardens. In collaboration with CAFRE (Greenmount), we are recruiting for an Apprentice Gardener position at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, giving you a fantastic opportunity to grow your horticultural skills whilst working in our beautiful gardens. Being a horticultural apprentice is an exciting challenge often physically demanding but hugely rewarding. You will be training within a horticultural environment, working alongside and learning from our experienced and dedicated Gardens team, developing skills and horticultural knowledge.
Whilst studying towards your apprenticeship you will also be:
- Planting flower beds, shrubs, trees, and perennials.
- Hedge cutting, light pruning, and trimming.
- Understanding and responding to the challenges presented by climate change and sustainability.
- Identifying and recognizing a selection of basic plants.
- Learning to use a wide range of horticultural machinery.
- Ad-hoc soft landscaping, weeding, dead heading and mulching.
- Becoming familiar with the general history of Hillsborough Castle.
- Interacting with customers and visitors and helping them to get the most from their visit.
- Undertake any other relevant activities which fall under the general scope of this role as directed by the Line Manager.
We are looking for someone who is keen to learn and has good attention to details. Due to the nature of the role, you must be willing to work outside in all weathers and have a suitable level of fitness in order to carry out its fundamental requirements. You must also be able to get transport to and from Greenmount campus weekly. You will also need good communication skills and the ability to manage your time and workload.
More than anything we are looking for potential, but, as this Apprenticeship starts at level 2 we do have a few eligibility requirements:
- You must be 18 years old or over on 1st September 2025.
- Live in UK (resident in country role is based).
- You must not have completed a degree or equivalent level qualification in the UK or elsewhere and not already be in full-time education.
- You must have a minimum of Level 1 essential skills in Maths and English.
For more information and to apply for this role, please click APPLY to be redirected to our careers page. Historic Royal Palaces is an equal opportunities employer and truly values a diverse workforce. Applications are welcome from candidates regardless of their background.
Horticulture Apprentice employer: Historic Royal Palaces
Contact Detail:
Historic Royal Palaces Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Horticulture Apprentice
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the history and significance of Hillsborough Castle and its gardens. This knowledge will not only impress during interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Gain some hands-on experience in gardening or horticulture, even if it's just volunteering at a local community garden. This practical experience will help you stand out as a candidate who is eager to learn and has a passion for horticulture.
✨Tip Number 3
Develop your communication skills by engaging with others in gardening communities or forums. Being able to articulate your thoughts and experiences clearly will be beneficial when interacting with visitors at the gardens.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your time management skills and how you handle physical tasks. Think of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to work efficiently and effectively, especially in outdoor settings.
We think you need these skills to ace Horticulture Apprentice
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Horticulture Apprentice position. This will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Craft a Tailored CV: Create a CV that emphasises your interest in horticulture and any relevant experience, even if it's informal. Highlight skills such as attention to detail, communication, and time management, which are essential for this role.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the apprenticeship and your willingness to learn. Mention specific aspects of the role that excite you, such as working outdoors or learning about sustainability in gardening.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Historic Royal Palaces
✨Show Your Passion for Horticulture
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for gardening and horticulture during the interview. Share any personal experiences or projects you've worked on, as this will demonstrate your genuine interest in the field.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions related to basic horticultural practices, such as planting techniques or pest management. Brush up on your knowledge of plants and gardening methods to show that you're ready to learn and contribute.
✨Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn
Since this is an apprenticeship, highlight your eagerness to learn new skills and take on challenges. Discuss how you adapt to new environments and your commitment to developing your horticultural knowledge.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills
As you'll be working closely with a team, it's important to showcase your ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. Share examples of past experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team.
