Best/most respected Horticulture qualifications to have?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by kyleleonard, Apr 21, 2014.

  1. kyleleonard

    kyleleonard Total Gardener

    Joined:
    May 23, 2011
    Messages:
    1,428
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Ashton-under-Lyne
    Ratings:
    +950
    I'm going to try and get a qualification so I can get a job doing something I actually enjoy.

    Just don't know who to go with as there's quite a choice out there.

    So question is, which qualifications look better to potential employers?


    Cheers!
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
    • Madahhlia

      Madahhlia Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Mar 19, 2007
      Messages:
      3,678
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Suburban paradise
      Ratings:
      +3,089
      Get on a horticultural jobs site and see what they are asking for - usually garden chemicals and heavy machinery training! Also look at the NT and RHS sites, see if they have jobs going, and what they specify.
      Google horticultural colleges and see what they are offering. You should be able to make some sort of comparison then.
       
      • Agree Agree x 3
      • Like Like x 1
      • Marley Farley

        Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

        Joined:
        May 11, 2005
        Messages:
        30,589
        Occupation:
        Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
        Location:
        Under the Edge Zone 8b
        Ratings:
        +14,124
        Hi Kyle that is an excellent idea.. You would be ahead of most of the small gardening people who don't have qualifications..
        I would think this site might help you http://www.thegardenersguild.co.uk/Careers_advice_and_training.html

        There are 4 NVQ levels you can take too..
        Edexcel Level 2 Certificate in Work-based Horticulture (QCF)

        [​IMG]PDF(2.2 MB)Download
        Edexcel Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Horticulture (QCF)

        [​IMG]PDF(1.7 MB)Download
        Edexcel Level 3 Certificate in Work-based Horticulture (QCF)

        [​IMG]PDF(1.3 MB)Download
        Edexcel Level 3 Diploma in Work-Based Horticulture (QCF)


        I would also include make sure you do a chainsaw course as then you can also tackle small tree trimming & hedges etc..
        http://www.lantra-awards.co.uk/Training-Qualifications/Chainsaw-and-aerial.aspx

        These should give you a start also get in touch with local colleges to see what horticultural and Arboriculture courses they do.. Around here some Agricultural colleges do those courses too.. Lots of places once you start looking... Best of luck & let us know what you end up doing.. :thumbsup:
         
        • Like Like x 2
        • Useful Useful x 1
        • kyleleonard

          kyleleonard Total Gardener

          Joined:
          May 23, 2011
          Messages:
          1,428
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Ashton-under-Lyne
          Ratings:
          +950
          I don't think many colleges near where I live do gardening/horticulture courses, but they do warehousing courses..

          I've been in contact with an online course website called NCFE, does anybody know anything about it and what it would mean to a potential employer if I said I have a level 3 in .......... awarded by NCFE.. cos I've never heard of them if I'm totally honest!
           
        • Marley Farley

          Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

          Joined:
          May 11, 2005
          Messages:
          30,589
          Occupation:
          Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
          Location:
          Under the Edge Zone 8b
          Ratings:
          +14,124
          Check out NVQs at your Job centre place as well as colleges.. National Vocational Qualification are run in most towns and cities.. They are free too, sadly not heard of NCFE so cannot comment on them sorry..
           
        • kyleleonard

          kyleleonard Total Gardener

          Joined:
          May 23, 2011
          Messages:
          1,428
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Ashton-under-Lyne
          Ratings:
          +950
        • Madahhlia

          Madahhlia Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 19, 2007
          Messages:
          3,678
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Suburban paradise
          Ratings:
          +3,089
          Nooooo! Not the warehousing. If you are going to be a down trodden slave you may as well do it in the fresh air!
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jun 3, 2008
          Messages:
          30,695
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Surrey
          Ratings:
          +45,653
          • Like Like x 1
          • kyleleonard

            kyleleonard Total Gardener

            Joined:
            May 23, 2011
            Messages:
            1,428
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Ashton-under-Lyne
            Ratings:
            +950
            Does seem a bit random that they'd have a course on warehousing but not gardening, though.

            I emailed this NCFE website, and they say their courses aren't nationally recognised.. but they charge up to £600 on some courses.. told me it'd be up to the employer to take their qualifications into account - think I'll give them a miss.
             
          • Lesley Barrett

            Lesley Barrett Apprentice Gardener

            Joined:
            Aug 23, 2014
            Messages:
            1
            Gender:
            Female
            Ratings:
            +0
            I would take a look at the RHS courses. If you go to there website, you will see a link that says education.
            Best of luck!
             
          • merleworld

            merleworld Total Gardener

            Joined:
            May 30, 2011
            Messages:
            2,673
            Gender:
            Female
            Location:
            Manchester
            Ratings:
            +4,087
            Have a look here.

            The RHS level 2 certificate (says it's internationally renowned) looks like it's a starting point. Also says you can do it distance learning. Have a look here :)

            An apprenticeship would be a good option as they would usually pay for you to take relevant qualifications (and you'd get paid on the job), but they're probably rare as hens teeth. Might be worth contacting some organisations such as Salford Council, Greater Manchester Council, National Trust, landscape companies, etc to see if they do any.
             
          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jul 3, 2006
            Messages:
            61,006
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired - Last Century!!!
            Location:
            Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
            Ratings:
            +117,318
            Writtle College (now part of University of East Anglia) is the most recognised organisation for what you want but it's too far away from you. I don't know if they have any reciprocal agreements with anything up your way.
             
          • Jungle Jane

            Jungle Jane Middle Class Twit Of The Year 2005

            Joined:
            Dec 12, 2010
            Messages:
            2,070
            Gender:
            Female
            Occupation:
            Local Nutcase
            Location:
            South Essex
            Ratings:
            +3,225
            Writtle also do on site accommodation. I was signed up for a garden design course before I had a break down. The rates are quite reasonable and the courses are quite broad. From landscaping garden design to park maintenance.
            Give it a look before you dismiss it.
             
          Loading...

          Share This Page

          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
            Dismiss Notice