Horticultural worker
Grow and sell plants in a garden centre or look after them in gardens and parks. You'd grow plants in a sustainable way and help maintain green spaces.
Also known as: nursery garden assistant
About the job
What it's like
You would grow plants for decoration or to produce food, sell plants in a garden centre or look after plants in parks and gardens.
You could grow plants for:
production horticulture, where you’d produce and sell plants either for food or decoration
garden centres where you’d sell plants to the public
parks and gardens where you’d look after plants in private gardens, public parks and green spaces, historic gardens or botanic gardens
The day-to-day tasks would vary depending on the season. Your tasks might include:
sowing seeds and planting bulbs and ornamental plants
growing plants from cuttings and by grafting
taking care of plants by watering, weeding, pruning, feeding and spraying
mowing grass, cut dead growth and branches and doing general tidying
laying paths and looking after ornamental features
Depending on the job you could also pick, sort and package produce to be sent to retailers. If you work in a garden centre you could sell plants and other products and advise the customers.
You’d need to be enthusiastic about plants and follow health and safety regulations.
Green job   Â
In this job you could be doing work to help the environment. You could:Â
manage the use of water in green spaces effectively to reduce wasteÂ
care for green spaces that help to protect the environment by storing carbon and improving air qualityÂ
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- taking initiative
- time management
- taking responsibility
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Environmental Science
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Practical Craft Skills
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Skills for Work: Rural Skills
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this job but a good general education (SCQF level 4/5) may be required by some employers.
If you choose to study this subject before entering the job or study part-time once in a job, to enter a National Certificate (NC) or National Qualifications (NQ) course in greenkeeping, landscaping or horticulture would require no formal qualifications or two to four subjects at SCQF level 4/5.
To enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in Horticulture, Arboriculture or Garden Design usually require one to two Highers and National 5s.
Qualifications and skills that demonstrate physical fitness and experience working outdoors such as Skills for Work Rural Skills (SCQF 4).
Once in work you may have the opportunity to gain work-based qualifications such as Scottish Vocational Qualification in Horticulture, or Parks, Gardens and Green Space (SCQF level 2/3).
Customer service experience would also be helpful if you want to work in a garden centre.
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