Horticulture

Our Introduction to Gardening and Landscaping Skills course opens the door to a world of possibilities in horticulture. Whether it's gardening, landscaping, tree surgery, or garden centres, this field offers a wide range of career options.

Our partnership with the Dean Estate in Kilmarnock ensures that you'll have hands-on experience in a real-world setting, making your learning journey truly immersive.

To apply for this exciting course, you'll need:

• a genuine interest in working outdoors
• three National 3s or equivalent, or relevant experience
• an interview with us

If you don’t have formal qualifications but have life experience, then we’ll also consider you for a place, so please do apply.

In this course, you will have the opportunity to:

• develop gardening skills, including grass and plant maintenance
• learn gardening techniques such as safe use of hand tools, planting containers, and plant propagation
• focus on environmental aspects and learn to identify trees, plants, and wildlife
• develop skills in soft and hard landscaping, including planting, pruning, slabbing etc.
• learn how to maintain an allotment, grow your own fruit and vegetables

After successfully completing this course, you may have the opportunity to:

• progress to a Level 5 course, such as Gardening and Horticulture Skills
• start your career in horticulture with employment or pursue a Modern Apprenticeship in horticulture, landscaping, or estate maintenance
• start your own gardening services business

Applying for our Introduction to Gardening and Landscaping Skills course is your first step toward a fulfilling career in the great outdoors. You'll gain practical skills that can be applied in real-world scenarios. You'll also develop essential transferable skills, including communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. This course equips you with versatile cognitive skills, preparing you for a range of opportunities in the horticulture field.