We support young and / or local people by providing employment and training in a supportive, progressive environment, to develop self-confidence, work experience and skills required for sustainable employment and an independent lifestyle. We’ve been employing and training people in horticulture since 2010.

Apprenticeships provide young people with the opportunity to gain a Diploma qualification whilst working. Cultivate London offers up to 4 supported full time Apprenticeships per year.

We partner with Training Provider Capel Manor College to deliver the Apprenticeships. Apprentices work with Cultivate London for a minimum of 30 hours (across 4 days) per week with training both on and off the job included within those hours of employment; and attend Capel Manor College 1 day per week (paid study time). Apprenticeships are typically 2 years long.

Qualifications:

Apprentices can study for:
City & Guilds Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Operative | Capel Manor Level 2 Garden Design | RHS Level 2 Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

During an Apprenticeship, students will learn a combination of:
Power and hand tool operation and maintenance | Site & ground preparation and hard landscaping | Planting, plant identification and care, plant propagation and pruning | Weed identification and management | Pest and disease identification and management | Lawn and Meadow establishment and care.

During the course of the Apprenticeship they will also gain work-based skills training such as:

PA1 & PA6 & Chainsaw | First Aid & ROLO/CSCS |Health and safety compliance | Community engagement activities and responsibilities (with potential to grow this aspect if specific interest is shown by Apprentice)

Additionally, to enhance ongoing employment opportunities, Apprentices will be taught life skills such as:

Teamwork and interpersonal skills (colleagues, clients and community members) | Following instructions and communication| Planning, organisation, self-management, motivation and time keeping | Working under pressure to meet deadlines, flexibility, problem solving and initiative | Personal presentation and conduct

Criteria:

Apprenticeships are generally offered to those who complete periods of volunteering across Cultivate London projects, although Cultivate London is keen to engage with people who want to look at working with the community, environment and horticulture.  

Horticulture apprenticeships are completed in partnership with Capel manor college based in Ealing, Enfield or Regents park. The Capel Manor College programme is taught over 4 terms and Apprentices can join this at the start of the September or January terms.

On going:

Following a successful Apprenticeship, if there is an area of Cultivate London that is suitable for further employment we will endeavour to employ that person. If their skills and interests lie outside of what Cultivate London can offer, we will always do what we can to help a candidate gain suitable employment elsewhere.

We help local people of any age achieve their potential by providing sustainable employment within horticulture including; landscape gardening, garden maintenance, community gardening and community food programmes.

The majority of employed positions within Cultivate London:

• have been offered following successful community volunteering at one of our sites
• are filled by former Apprentices or Trainees
• are specifically created to deliver grant funded projects; for example our Education Officer where we will always look to employ local people first
• are bespoke opportunities for disadvantaged and underprivileged local people

We equip people with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to achieve their potential. Working with Cultivate London encourages, motivates, builds confidence and helps develop the skills required for people to succeed in a career within horticulture. We believe as an industry, it’s a great place to work and provides exceptional and wide ranging careers and jobs for almost anyone.

“Our big thank you for giving [my son] opportunities to grow as an adult person. He has become much more confident and independent since he started training at Cultivate, and his spoken language has greatly improved. Thank you for making [him] feel needed and useful.”

From the mother of one of our interns, a young man with Down’s Syndrome.