Royal Parks recruits seven apprentices

Could you be someone who could help care for some of the UK's most important and well-loved parks?

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Royal Parks are looking for seven apprentices to work in locations including Hyde Park, Greenwich Park and Richmond Park.

The successful apprentices will be based in one of London's eight Royal Parks four days a week and will study at Capel Manor College in Regent's Park on the remaining day.

The apprentice scheme typically lasts three years and apprentices study for the Horticulture Landscape Operative Standard. In the final year they are able to study for the Royal Horticultural Society Level 2 Certificates in Horticulture.

Apprentices will have access to Hyde Park Nursery, where they will learn about propagation and will work on growing the parks' flowerbed displays.

Aimee Spanswick, 35, left her job as a Customer Services Administrator in 2019 in order to take up the apprenticeship.

"Before hearing about the Royal Parks Apprenticeship Scheme, I couldn’t see a way into horticulture for an unqualified gardener in London as most vacancies required at least two years’ experience."

The scheme is open for applications until 15 March 2020. Anyone over the age of 16 can apply.