Your name: Marion
Position: Horticulture apprenticeship with The Royal Parks
What course did you study at Oldham College? Level 1 Practical Horticulture
Marion discovered a passion for horticulture through volunteering before studying at Oldham College. She has now secured a Horticulture apprenticeship with The Royal Parks, based at Hyde Park in London.
Marion hadn’t always planned on becoming a gardener. During the pandemic, she started volunteering at a community garden and quickly discovered how much she enjoyed working outdoors.
“It was a real revelation for me. I loved seeing how plants changed with the seasons and how rewarding it was to help create a space that people could enjoy every day.”
At first, Marion saw horticulture as a hobby and completed a few online courses out of curiosity. It wasn’t until she started studying horticulture at the College that she began to see it as a possible career.
After completing the AQA Urban Sustainable Planting course, Marion progressed to Level 1 Practical Horticulture, where she developed skills including planting, preparing beds, mulching and using hand tools safely.
“The course gave me confidence in the practical side of horticulture. It also helped me develop the vocabulary to talk about horticulture during interviews.
“Instead of simply saying I enjoyed gardening, I could explain what I had learned and demonstrate that I understood the work involved.”
After completing Level 1, Marion decided an apprenticeship was the right route for her and began applying for opportunities. Following several interviews and assessment days, she was offered a Horticulture apprenticeship with The Royal Parks, based at Hyde Park.
Although moving to London was a big step, Marion had previously lived in the capital for five years, so she says it feels “a bit like going home”.
“My heart jumped for joy. I was absolutely thrilled. It took a few moments for the news to sink in because I’d worked so hard to reach that point.”
Having visited Hyde Park many times, Marion says the opportunity to now help care for it makes the role even more special.
“I never imagined for a second that I would be part of the team that looks after it. It’s quite special to think that I’ll now be helping to care for it.”
Now three weeks into her apprenticeship, Marion says she is “absolutely loving it” and has already learnt a lot from working alongside the gardening team.
For anyone thinking about a career or apprenticeship in horticulture, Marion’s advice is simple:
“Take the first step and apply. Be curious, keep learning and see where it could take you.
“I started with nothing. I was just a shy girl volunteering in a tiny community garden with no experience or qualifications at all, and here I am now, an apprentice horticulturist at The Royal Parks.”
Find out more
Interested in a career in horticulture? You can apply directly for a Horticulture apprenticeship at Oldham College, where you’ll develop practical skills and experience while working in the industry.
