Professional Work Placement (PWP) in Edibles and Productive Horticulture

Are you enthusiastic about horticulture? Have you already completed (or are studying for) a Level 2 horticultural theory qualification and have at least 3 months practical experience? Are you interested in specialising and completing a Level 3 Award to further your career?

Our Professional Work Placement programme is a one-year paid work experience placement for horticulturists who wish to specialise. Applicants should have already completed (or be studying for) a Level 2 Horticultural theory qualification or apprenticeship standard and have 3 months (minimum) full-time practical experience in the industry at application.

As part of the Professional Work Placement programme, successful applicants will study for the new RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation qualification. To be eligible, applicants must not hold or be studying for a Level 3 Diploma (or equivalent) in Horticulture or above.

Scope of Placement

The placement provides the opportunity to spend a full year immersed in the Edibles and Productive Horticulture Team, studying a specific group of plants, garden practice or style whilst completing a Level 3 Award. You will gain knowledge, experience, skills, and training in your specialism, in a work-based context, to prepare you for professional life in the industry.

Speciality Focus

Throughout this placement you will gain knowledge, experiences, skills, and training in Edibles and Productive Horticulture in the work‑based context to prepare you for professional life in this sector.

Who Will You Be Working With?

Inner Walled Garden team.

Which Areas of the Garden Will You Be Working In?

The Kitchen Garden at Bridgewater has more than 100 planting beds containing 29,000 plants. It embraces distinct planting styles – forest garden, herbal garden, formal vegetable garden – and is surrounded by wall‑trained fruit, which wrap around the historic walls. Designed to be equally ornamental and productive, the fruit and vegetables grown here are supplied to the Bridgewater Café. The Kitchen Garden grows productive plants from all over the world and demonstrates both traditional and modern techniques to its visitors. The edible forest garden demonstrates an alternative method of growing edible plants in a sustainable way, while the herbal garden grows plants that can be used productively as medicine, herbs or dyes. The successful candidate will work in all areas, working alongside our highly knowledgeable horticulturists in addition to getting involved in the many events held within the garden.

About the RHS Level 3 Award

During the placement you will complete horticultural research culminating in a project write‑up and submission for the RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation, which will be funded by the RHS. Candidates completing the Level 3 qualification will be allocated a Project Supervisor who will support you and advise on the project write‑up. To achieve the qualification you will be required to attend several online sessions (either live or recordings) over a period of 9 months, submit a project write‑up and complete a professional discussion.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Benefits of Working for the RHS

To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet. And we couldn't do this without our people. We're proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference.