Horticultural Apprenticeship

Overview | Entry Requirements | How to Become an Apprentice Horticulturist | Programme Costs | Programme Structure | Programme Modules  | Testimonials | More Information

Overview

The Apprenticeship in horticulture is for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in the horticultural sector or existing personnel employed in a horticultual facility that would like to gain a  recognised qualification.

Programme Title: Horticultural Apprenticeship Programme
Duration: Two years
Certification: Higher Certificate in Horticulture
Awarding Body: Quality and Qualifications Ireland – QQI

View more Horticultural Apprenticeship Videos & Webinars

Entry Requirements

All Apprentices must be employed full time by a ‘Solas Approved Employer’ in a Horticultural setting. Additional entry requirements, applicants must have:

Option 1:

Completed the Leaving Certificate (NFQ Level 5) with 5 subjects with a minimum of O6/H7 to include English or higher and a minimum of foundation Mathematics F6.

Option 2:

Successfully completed Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture 5M2586 or equivalent major horticulture course.

Option 3:

A candidate 17 years or older who does not hold the above qualifications as set out in categories 1 or 2 above, but who has a minimum of 48 weeks cumulative experience working in horticulture, is recommended by their employer and demonstrates the stated literacy and numeracy skills, will also be eligible to apply.

Note –The English language entry requirements for the programme are CEF B2+ or equivalent. Candidates with English language levels below CEF B2+ must first reach this minimum standard before enrolling on the academic programme.

*A qualification deemed equivalent on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications to any of the qualifications listed above.

How to become an Apprentice Horticulturist

Step 1 Applicants must be directly employed by a SOLAS approved Employer based on your choice of stream.

Step 2 The approved SOLAS Employer will start the registration process with SOLAS (The Further Education & Training Authority)

Step 3 Applicants application will be assessed by Teagasc in consultation with SOLAS.

Step 4 If successful, applicant will be registered as an apprentice both with SOLAS and Teagasc.

Step 5 Apprentice will be called for induction training and off-the-job learning block released.

Approved Employers will also advertise vacancies when seeking to employ a new apprentice, listings can found by searching ‘Horticulture’ on the Generation Apprenticeship website -> https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/jobs

Note Applicants may be called for an interview to discuss entry requirements and learner support requirements.

Programme Costs

The cost of the apprenticeship is €1,141 per year of the programme. Associated costs such as travel and accommodation for the off-the-job block release is extra.

Programme Structure

Apprentices will be trained in a progressive manner and will get to put their skills into practice during both on and off the job training stages. On successful completion, the apprentice will be fully competent in the role of a Horticulturist.

Employers are asked to support employees throughout their learning journey by engaging and facilitating one – to – one mentor meetings on a regular basis. Employers will be issued with advice on this during the induction training.

The block release programme has been designed to minimise the impact of the apprentice’s abscence’s abscence throughout off-season. Attendance is compulsory and apprentices will attend classes, practicals, labs and field trips while off-the-job.

The following stages will be completed as part of the Horticultural Apprenticeship:

Year 1: Autumn/Winter Semester, September – December: 2 days off-the-job every second week
Year 1: Spring/Summer Semester January – June: 2 days off-the-job every second week

Programme Modules

Year 1 / Stage 1

• Growing Media and Plant Nutrition
• Plant Science
• Plant Propagation
• Sustainable Plant Protection
• Plant ID
• Sustainable IT Skills
• Horticultural machinery and health and safety

Note: All streams complete year 1 modules, content and assessment tailored to the relevant stream.

Year 2 / Stage 2

Mandatory for all streams: 

• Financial Management for Horticulture
• Sustainable Horticultural Practice

Note: All streams complete year 2 mandatory modules, content and assessment tailored to the relevant stream.

The following are the specific stream modules:

Fruit Stream: 

• Fruit Production

Garden and Parks Stream: 

• Advanced plant identification and cultivation techniques
• Garden and Parks Management

Garden Centre Stream: 

• Customer Service for horticulture
• Garden Centre management

Landscaping Stream:

• Advanced plant identification and cultivation techniques
• Hard landscaping

Nursery Stream: 

• Customer service for Horticulture
• Nursery stock production

Vegetable Stream: 

• Vegetable production

Testimonials

“This apprenticeship was a two-year course which involved both on-the-job and in-person learning. In college, we covered a lot of theory in the classroom, including many different modules such as soil science and plant identification. We also completed a range of practical, hands-on modules, learning different skills from laying patios and steps to safely operating machinery and understanding how machinery and engines work.

I enjoyed all aspects of this course — receiving a qualification, gaining new skills and knowledge to bring back to the business, all while earning a wage, was a massive benefit.

I chose to do this apprenticeship as I have been working in the sector for my father’s landscaping company for many years. After receiving my qualification, I hope to grow the business further and help it to expand into the future.”

Darragh Sloane
Horticulturist Apprenticeship Graduate (Greenside Landscapes)

“I chose to undertake the Level 6 Horticultural Apprenticeship with Teagasc after spending two years working with my employer, Lodgepark Landscapes. When the apprenticeship was first introduced, my employer approached me with the idea, and we both immediately saw the value in it. It felt like the next step in my career and a real win-win situation, giving me the opportunity to further my education while also allowing me to bring fresh knowledge and skills back into the workplace.

I had always known that I wanted to continue developing myself within horticulture, and the apprenticeship really stood out to me. The balance of 20% classroom-based learning and 80% practical, on-the-job training means you’re constantly applying what you learn in real-world situations. This hands-on approach has helped deepen my understanding of the industry.

What I valued most about the programme is how relevant and practical the learning is. Being able to study while working full-time has allowed me to grow professionally without stepping away from the industry.

Overall, choosing this apprenticeship has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It has given me the chance to progress my career, expand my knowledge, and gain recognised qualifications, all while continuing to work in a field I’m passionate about. I would highly recommend this pathway to anyone looking to build a strong future in horticulture.”

Conor Comerford
Horticulturist Apprenticeship Graduate (Lodgepark Landscapes)

“I chose the Horticultural Apprenticeship as, although I had learnt an awful lot from working in various roles in the landscape maintenance industry, I had no industry-recognised qualification to go with that knowledge and experience.

The Horticultural Apprenticeship allowed me to pursue learning in areas that interested me but were not available to me in my line of work. This was accomplished through a mix of practical and classroom learning from the lecturers, tutors, and my classmates, who brought their own experience to share.

Being able to return to education while maintaining an income was a real benefit, as it removed concerns about loss of earnings and the associated stress.

I’m very grateful to my employer and Teagasc for the opportunity to study the Horticultural Apprenticeship and would encourage anyone wishing to upskill and gain a recognised qualification to seriously consider joining the course.”

Francis Burns
Horticulturist Apprenticeship Graduate (SAP Landscapes)

More Information

If you are interested in this apprenticeship more information is available on the SOLAS Apprenticeships website

Potential employers can also get information in the employers section of the apprenticeships website

For Further information please contact:

apprenticeships@teagasc.ie

Or

Paddy Smith
Programme Co-ordinator,
College of Horticulture Teagasc – National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, D09 VY63
01-8040215
paddy.smith@teagasc.ie