The Purpose

The Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP) is managed by English Heritage and offers garden traineeships at a range of outstanding placement gardens including Trentham.

The Person

Are you a committed gardener, looking to take the next step into a career in horticulture? This is an incredible opportunity for an enthusiastic person to gain practical paid experience within an historic or botanic garden. The role will enable you as a trainee to experience a broad range of activities, helping to develop your practical skills and increase your horticultural knowledge!

Key Information

Applications are now open for the Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP).

The HBGTP is managed by English Heritage and provides a truly exceptional opportunity for passionate and committed gardeners to develop their career in horticulture.

To be considered as an HBGTP trainee, you will need:

• Previous practical experience (this can be paid or voluntary)
• Interest and commitment to work in the sector
• Basic gardening skills that a placement could develop or enhance
• Self-motivation and ambition

Trainees are paid to work full-time, as a trainee gardener, in a prestigious UK botanic or historic garden. Placements are for 12 months and start in September each year.

“The best thing about the HBGTP is it gave me the chance to spend a year gaining practical experience in a historical environment, with the opportunity to learn new skills first-hand from the gardeners.” (Former trainee).

If gardening is your passion and you want to make it your career, apply now!

Please visit www.hbgtp.org.uk and to find out more about the programme and to access the application. The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 23 March 2025. Interviews will take place in May, in the various placement gardens.

The Historic and Botanic Gardens Training Programme is supported by the National Garden Scheme.

Salary: Real Living Wage
Job type: Fixed-Term Contract
Ref: 15803

You can apply here