Apprentice Opportunity: Garden Apprentice

Would you like a chance to take up this excellent opportunity to gain a qualification packed with knowledge and practical experience, working under experienced gardeners in a world-famous historic garden?

The Royal Pavilion Garden is the only restored Regency Garden in the UK and is Grade II listed. The garden was restored following John Nash’s 1820s plans and conforms as closely as possible to the original list of plants supplied to George IV.

Brighton & Hove Museums was successful in bidding for a substantial Heritage Lottery Fund grant / funding totalling over £7 million. Great improvements are ahead for the Royal Pavilion Garden and once finished this will be the only fully restored Regency landscape in the world. The successful apprenticeship applicant will be present during an exciting time of change and the experience gained through this period will greatly enhance career potential.

Brighton & Hove Museums has an exciting opportunity for a Level 2 Heritage Horticulture and Landscape apprentice within a historic gardens setting. In addition to helping shape the Pavilion Garden, the role will also include working in Preston Manors’ Edwardian walled garden and Hove Museum. Both gardens represent further opportunity to broaden knowledge, experience and career progression.

The Horticulture and Landscape apprentice Level 2 standard is run by Plumpton College who is responsible for supporting you with your learning and carrying out assessments. The course has core modules to complete and a number of units. Your work experience will be linked to the modules and units in your course. You will receive additional support from a nominated mentor throughout the duration of the Apprenticeship.

About the role

Apprentices will gain knowledge in the general management of the Royal Pavilion Garden and carrying out routine horticultural operations, e.g. mowing, strimming, hedge trimming, planting, and pruning, site preparation, turfing, seeding, weeding.

Additionally, you will learn plant identification skills and have the chance to contribute to planting schemes and many projects across different subject areas. You will learn about the most common horticultural pests and diseases, and how to treat them as well as operating machinery and health and safety aspects of the role.

Although the role is primarily to maintain and develop the gardens, there are aspects of public engagement. There will be the opportunity to carry out presentations and tours along with more general duties, which will further increase employability. Additionally, taking part in discussions with landscape professionals and consultants for the Garden project will add to a rich and rewarding working environment.

Additional information

Apprentices without evidence of level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to completing training. You may be required to take an English and Maths assessment prior to a formal offer being made.

For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeships English and Maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. British Sign Language qualification is an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.

Please note, your application will be shared with the training provider.

The duration of the apprenticeship will be between 18 – 24 months, depending on progression through the taught elements of the role.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact:

Rob Boyle, Head Gardener – rob.boyle@rpmt.org.uk
Nicholas Kay, Volunteer Manager – nick.kay@rpmt.org.uk

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We actively welcome applications from people who reflect the diversity of the country to help us shape and change the museum sector to make it more relevant to the diversity of the people, communities and places we serve.

Work Permits: This role does not meet the requirement for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Successful candidates will need to evidence that they have the Right to Work in the UK.

In order to apply for an apprenticeship, you must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years on the first day of the apprenticeship (or this includes EEA for UK or EEA Nationals with pre-settled or Settled Status) or have some other residency eligibility status.

Application

To apply, you will need to complete the application form below. As you go through the application, it will explain what information you need to provide and why. You should also read the job description and person specification, which lists the experience and skills required. Please read the guidance notes to help you put across your experience, skills and abilities necessary for the job.

Once you have completed your application, please send it to recruitment@rpmt.org.uk along with your complete equalities monitoring form.

Closing date 5pm, Wednesday 7 October 2026