Horticulture Apprenticeship Student Experiences

The Horticulture Apprenticeship programme at the College of Amenity Horticulture, Botanic Gardens & Ashtown attracts students from diverse backgrounds, sharing a passion for working with plants, landscapes, and outdoor spaces. As the 2025 - 2027 cohort settles into Year 1, students share their experiences of the course so far.

Charlie McCormack – McCormack Farms

Charlie’s journey in horticulture began at home. “I’m pursuing a career in horticulture because I’ve grown up around it and have been working in it since a young age” he explains. “I want to continue the legacy that my grandfather and father have created.”

Charlie graduated from Maynooth University with a BA in Business and Geography. In horticulture, he values experiences like participating in a shoot for Ear to the Ground and collaborating with Bord Bia to showcase the contribution of farmers to society.

Challenges, he admits, come in the form of learning plant names in Latin. “This course focuses more on gardening and landscaping, while I have experience with food production like salad and baby leaves,” he says. Modules such as Horticulture Machinery and Health & Safety are more familiar for him, aligning with his everyday work.

The advice that resonates most with Charlie comes from his grandfather: “Paying attention to little details will help avoids problems. This has stuck with me since I was 16, and it helps maintain consistency in the business.”

Thomas Lynch – Elite Garden Village & Elite Environmental

Thomas brings both academic and practical experience to the apprenticeship. Having managed day-to-day operations at his family’s landscaping business, Elite Environmental, for the past 18 months, he has also overseen the launch of Elite Garden Village, a new garden centre.

“I want to expand both businesses over the coming years,” he says. Studying horticulture at the Botanic Gardens complements his business background, which includes a Business Studies degree and a master’s in finance from DCU. Thomas says expanding into the garden centre business is his proudest horticultural achievement, fulfilling a long-held goal of his parents.

Balancing study and work can be a challenge. “Reacquainting myself with college life and keeping up with assignments has been tough,” he admits. He shares key advice for success: “You will always keep learning in this industry. Each year is different, and you cannot judge your current progress based on the previous year.”

Ian Grahame – Green and Lush Horticulture

Ian’s introduction to horticulture came through helping a friend in the field. “I’ve been working in horticulture for the last year and a half,” he says. He recalls a memorable moment: “The first time I pruned a Laurus nobilis into a perfect mushroom shape.”

Like many students, Ian finds balancing work, study, and home life to be a challenge. His advice for someone interested in the industry is simple, “Even if you mess it up, 90% of the time it will grow back.”

Jason Galbraith – SAP Landscapes

Jason’s transition into horticulture followed a career in retail. “After over 30 years in retail and the impact of COVID-19, I decided it was time for a change,” he says. “I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and improving garden spaces. Working with SAP Landscapes has given me roles and responsibilities that I find extremely rewarding.”

Returning to study as a mature student has been challenging. “Learning how to learn again has taken time,” he explains. “Balancing family, work, and study requires good time management, but it’s manageable.”

The advice Jason values most comes from experience, “Watch and learn! There’s no substitute for observing someone with years of knowledge and experience.”