Training opportunities

Technical Assistant

Jerome Webb

Jerome started The Royal Parks’ Apprenticeship scheme at St James’s Park and is the current Technical Assistant at Greenwich Park.

“I worked as a Royal Parks Apprentice in what were a tough two years, gardening in rain and sun, and keeping the quality to a high standard. After receiving two awards, one from the Worshipful Company of Gardeners and one from the Royal Parks’ Guild, I had the confidence to move into a different position. I was seeking a challenge, therefore, I applied for the Technical Assistant role at Greenwich.

“I am excited to help deliver a high level of administrative and organisational support for Greenwich Park Revealed. Also, I’m working with facility contractors, landscape maintenance, events and volunteering teams at the Queen’s Orchard.

“Currently I am gaining valuable experience in park management at a technical level. I hope to invest into the Royal Parks for the coming years and help to polish my skills and abilities, to become a valued member within the organisation. I hope to one day become a Park Manager and help to ensure the delivery of a high quality service.”

Pre-Apprentice

Joseph Coffey

I had always loved the outdoors, but for a long time I had never considered a career in horticulture. That all changed when after graduating from university a friend of mine needed help with her gardening business over the summer. I found the work more fulfilling than anything I had done before. At that time, I was unsure how to begin a career in horticulture, but after finishing my time with her and getting an office job, I knew that gardening was where I felt most happy.

The Future Gardeners course has changed my life and provided a clear route into horticulture as a career with a base level of horticultural knowledge. I began getting to grips with the science of gardening beyond simple maintenance tasks. The people I met on the course were amazing. All were interested and committed to learning and were a great support for me in choosing horticulture as a career. We were also able to visit many stunning gardens including Chelsea Physic, RHS Wisley and Chiswick House and Gardens. Through these visits I started to develop an idea of the kinds of places I could see myself working in.

I applied for the Pre-Apprenticeship scheme at Greenwich Park as I considered the opportunity to work in one of London's Royal Parks a great privilege. I had been visiting Greenwich Park all my life and knew it to be a beautiful and varied landscape with the potential for learning across a range of gardens and habitats. I was keen to gain as much experience as I could and the pre apprenticeship scheme was the best place to receive it.

While working at Greenwich as part of the Pre-Apprenticeship scheme, I was able to take part in woodland planting. This scheme to encourage native plants and pollinators to thrive is part of the plans for Greenwich Park Revealed and provided me with invaluable experience working on a large project with a team of gardeners. I am excited to have the opportunity to work and learn from some very knowledgeable people and passionate gardeners.

Next, I hope to start my apprenticeship with The Royal Parks. The next step in my horticultural career!

Technical Assistant

Adam Stoter

The Technical Assistant is a two-year role which aims to equip people with park management skills, funded through Greenwich Park Revealed. Our current Technical Assistant, Adam Stoter, said: “I’m enjoying every moment of this role. My responsibilities are to provide administrative and organisational support for Greenwich Park, in day-to-day park management including events, volunteering, landscape maintenance, catering and facilities contractors while supporting the delivery of the Greenwich Park Revealed which is supported through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“In addition to my role at Greenwich I now oversee the horticultural apprenticeship scheme as Apprenticeship Scheme Support Officer across the Royal Parks. I liaise with the learning provider, employers and The Royal Park’s partners to ensure the continued success of the scheme.

“I’m gaining a vast experience of what’s involved in park management and I hope to continue developing my career to take the next steps in park management.”

Adam has since moved role to become Assistant Park Manager.

Graduate Landscape Architect

Charlie Blackmore

The Graduate Landscape Architect Role is a part-time position for one year ending summer, 2022 offering valuable work experience in a profession which is increasingly in demand. Our current Graduate Landscape Architect Charlie Blackmore started out as an apprentice in The Regent’s Park before going onto a Master’s degree, and is joining us as part of the new team to deliver Greenwich Park Revealed.

He said: “My role as a Graduate Landscape Architect includes aiding the delivery of the projects program, documenting key habitat enhancement, and working with the wider student landscape architect community. The experience I look to gain is an understanding how the elements of a project are taken through the initial research stages into design, construction, and completion. The project will enhance my future goals of focusing on sustainable ecological design management.”

Horticulture Apprentice

Jake Wood

Jake Wood completed the Bankside Open Spaces Trust - Future Gardeners programme, followed by a three-month pre-apprenticeship programme. Following which, he successfully applied for a role as one of the Royal Parks’ apprentices and is a valuable member of the team.

"I had no experience of horticulture and getting  a placement on the Future Gardener’s scheme really set me up on the right foot to begin a long-term training programme that I would like to lead to a career in this industry.

“The pre-apprenticeship at Greenwich Park was such an amazing experience.

“I was so grateful for the opportunity to learn first-hand from a team of experts who were so friendly and generous in sharing their time and knowledge.

“Learning in such a hands-on way was really valuable and the insight into working in professional horticulture would have been difficult to come by otherwise.

“I got a real sense of pride from helping to carry out work at the park and the freedom to develop my skills whilst making an impact at such a beautiful and prestigious location was incredible.

“The time I spent there really fast tracked my learning in horticulture and gave me the confidence to continue my studies. As a result I am thrilled to have recently  been selected to become one of the Royal Parks apprentices. I am enjoying taking my skills and knowledge to another level and working with a fantastic team to gain expertise and the qualifications I need for future opportunities.”