New round of apprenticeship scheme opens

Applications are now open for ten places on The Royal Parks' GROW apprenticeship scheme, which operates across London's eight Royal Parks.

Now in its second year, the scheme is run in partnership with the Royal Parks, its landscape maintenance contractors, and Capel Manor College, and is open to young people as well as older applicants and existing staff.

Each week, apprentices will spend four days learning landscaping and horticultural techniques at their assigned park, and one day in the classroom at Capel Manor College in The Regent's Park.

Apprentices will gain experience in the care and management of public and private gardens, sports grounds and green community areas. This involves development and maintenance of lawns and borders, trees, shrubs, hedges, herbaceous plants and bedding displays.

On completion of the three-year course, participants will be fully qualified as gardeners with NVQ Levels II & III in Amenity Horticulture.

Dennis Clarke, Senior Park Manager said: "The Royal Parks' apprenticeship scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for people to combine practical experience and classroom learning in an environment renowned for horticultural excellence. Quality training and development are key to ensuring high standards are retained in the sector and mark a real investment in the future of our parks."

The deadline for applications is Friday 18 April.

For further press information, please contact

Katy Murray on 020 7298 2128 or kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk or

Lucy Skipper on 020 7298 2145 or lskipper@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

• For further details about the scheme, or for an application form, please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk/about/grow.cfm
• Wages will be at apprentice level and The Royal Parks and its contractors will cover the cost of the course. Apprentices may be offered a permanent employment upon completion of the programme.
• The Royal Parks' landscape maintenance contractors are Enterprise plc; Fountains plc; Turfsoil Ltd; and Veolia plc.
• The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park. For more details visit: www.royalparks.org.uk
• The Royal Parks Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.