Best/most respected Horticulture qualifications to have?

I'm going to try and get a qualification so I can get a job doing something I actually enjoy.

Just don't know who to go with as there's quite a choice out there.

So question is, which qualifications look better to potential employers?


Cheers!

 

Get on a horticultural jobs site and see what they are asking for - usually garden chemicals and heavy machinery training! Also look at the NT and RHS sites, see if they have jobs going, and what they specify.
Google horticultural colleges and see what they are offering. You should be able to make some sort of comparison then.

 

I don't think many colleges near where I live do gardening/horticulture courses, but they do warehousing courses..

I've been in contact with an online course website called NCFE, does anybody know anything about it and what it would mean to a potential employer if I said I have a level 3 in .......... awarded by NCFE.. cos I've never heard of them if I'm totally honest!

 

Because I'm 25 (26 in July) I don't think I qualify to have them for free

http://www.reed.co.uk/courses/garden-maintenance-course/29469#/courses/gardening/tameside

here's one of the NCFE courses.. they have quite a lot.

 

Nooooo! Not the warehousing. If you are going to be a down trodden slave you may as well do it in the fresh air!

 

Does seem a bit random that they'd have a course on warehousing but not gardening, though.

I emailed this NCFE website, and they say their courses aren't nationally recognised.. but they charge up to £600 on some courses.. told me it'd be up to the employer to take their qualifications into account - think I'll give them a miss.

 

I would take a look at the RHS courses. If you go to there website, you will see a link that says education.
Best of luck!

 

Have a look here.

The RHS level 2 certificate (says it's internationally renowned) looks like it's a starting point. Also says you can do it distance learning. Have a look here

An apprenticeship would be a good option as they would usually pay for you to take relevant qualifications (and you'd get paid on the job), but they're probably rare as hens teeth. Might be worth contacting some organisations such as Salford Council, Greater Manchester Council, National Trust, landscape companies, etc to see if they do any.

 

Writtle also do on site accommodation. I was signed up for a garden design course before I had a break down. The rates are quite reasonable and the courses are quite broad. From landscaping garden design to park maintenance.
Give it a look before you dismiss it.