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Environment & Sustainability
Horticulture
With so much green space in Yorkshire there are plenty of opportunities to get into horticulture. The region is also home to The Harrogate Flower Show, held twice a year, which regularly attracts up to 60,000 visitors to celebrate all aspects of the industry.
Horticulture can be split into two areas: Amenity and Commercial.
Amenity relates to the care of facilities and could involve working for local authorities, national parks, gardens and private estates or sports grounds. This is a growing market with an emphasis on conservation and leisure. Many local authorities or botanical gardens offer positions with clear career progression and increasingly amenity horticulture is being contracted out to private firms.
Commercial horticulture is the growing of food or plants for sale through nurseries and farms with retail being increasingly managed through garden centres, supermarkets and DIY outlets.
Work in the horticultural world is accessed by two routes; either through studying a relevant degree or one of the industry's own qualifications starting from NVQ levels right the way through to RHS Masters. Locally, Leeds Metropolitan University offers a course in Garden Art & Design which provides good theory and practice to those looking to enter the field.
There are also opportunities for graduates with management and retail experience with larger companies who operate management training schemes. Commercial operations tend to vary in size and nature and you can expect roles and responsibilities to vary depending on this.
Graduates looking to enter the sector should have a relevant degree as well as some work experience or related voluntary activities on their CV. A part time job in a local nursery would be ideal or volunteering to look after a local community garden. Voluntary projects in your area can be found by visiting your local Voluntary Action bureau or you could take the initiative and approach a local care home or community centre and offer to help out with the grounds.
Studying towards higher qualifications past degree can improve career options especially if you wish to get into consultancy or research.
Most importantly, you should be able to show future employers that you have a proven interest in the sector and that you are passionate about working in the industry.
Specialist recruitment agencies advertise in the trade journals such as the Grower, Farmers Weekly, The Fresh Produce Journal, Horticulture Week and Nurseryman and Garden Centre. You could also consider starting your own business in consultancy or garden design.
Job vacancies in Environment & Sustainability
Useful links:
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
BBSRC is Britain's lead funding agency for academic research and training in the non-medical life sciences.
Bishop Burton College Garden Design & Management courses
Based at Beverley near Hull, Bishop Burton College offers various horticultural courses under their heading of Garden Design & Management.
Leeds Metropolitan University, Faculty of Arts & Society, BA(Hons) Garden Art & Design
North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS)
Originally formed in 1911, the NEHS now organises Spring and Autumn flower and horticultural shows held at Harrogate, attracting up to 60,000 visitors.
More information on the Spring and Autumn flower shows held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.
Popular annual event in the agriculture and horticultural world, held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. The show regularly attracts over 120,000 visitors.
The North Yorkshire County Show
Held at Otterington Hall between Northallerton & Thirsk it includes horticultural displays.