On the Eighth Day of Christmas we give to you, the eight stages our Future Gardeners go through on route to finding a job in the horticultural industry. Bankside Open Spaces Trust launched Future Gardeners with the Worshipful Company of Gardeners and The Royal Parks Guild just two years ago. The course is completely free and aims to get people work-ready in 10-weeks. Our students tackle the following eight steps as they work towards employment:

1.) Classroom study for a City and Guilds Qualification

2.) Industry expert talks

3.) Hands on gardening in BOST parks and gardens

4.) Working on live jobs as a team with our partners

5.) Days out to research gardens

6.) Work experience placements

7.) CV writing and interview tips

8.) Graduation

26 people completed the Future Gardeners course this year. Peter, who completed his course in June, went on to find work at Walworth Garden and is currently studying for his diploma in horticulture. Peter had struggled with drug dependency in the past, although he was in recovery when he joined Future Gardeners. He credits gardening with giving him the focus he needed to stay on the right track. He said, “Future Gardeners was brilliant. It inspired me, it connected me. We need this course… I couldn’t have afforded a formal course. The course led to this job.” Oli, Peter’s boss and CEO of Walworth Garden, added, “It was a no brainer to employ Peter and he’s done very well. “

76% of our Future Gardeners who completed the course are now working in the horticultural industry. We’re looking for partners to help us keep growing this vital course. By sponsoring a student or a team of students, you can have a direct impact on the current horticultural careers crisis. We are training people to fill the gaps in the industry, join us and grow new gardeners today.