Botanic Garden apprentices go from beginners to running Walesâ biggest glasshouse
The Carmarthenshire attraction is marking more than a decade of its horticultural apprenticeship programme during Apprenticeship Week Wales, saying the scheme has helped tackle what it describes as a longâterm skills shortage in the sector.
Garden says apprentices now run major plant collections
According to the Garden, some of the apprentices first recruited in 2015 â many with no horticultural experience â now help run the Great Glasshouse, which the Garden describes as the worldâs largest singleâspan glasshouse. The organisation says apprentices also contribute to maintaining plant collections seen by around 200,000 visitors a year.
Head of Horticulture, Learning and Nature, Donald Murray, said the programme was launched because the sector was facing âa longâterm workforce challengeâ.
âFewer young people were entering horticulture yet demand for skilled practitioners to care for living plant collections and landscapes was rising,â he said. âApprenticeships were a great way to tackle the skills gap.â
An apprentice tends to plants near the Great Glasshouse at the National Botanic Garden of Wales during a training rotation.
(Image: National Botanic Gardens Of Wales)A horticulture apprentice works on a flower bed at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, gaining seasonal, handsâon experience.
(Image: Botanic Gardens of Wales)
14 apprentices recruited, says Garden
The Garden says it has recruited 14 apprentices over the past decade, ranging from school leavers to career changers, with around half progressing into fullâtime roles. According to the organisation, former apprentices now lead specialist areas including the Great Glasshouse and the Double Walled Garden.
The Garden says its current apprentices follow a structured twoâyear programme involving seasonal, handsâon learning and rotational placements across its 568âacre site. Apprentices also work towards qualifications such as RHS Level 2 Principles of Horticulture, which the Garden says is supported through funded training.
âIntegral to our success,â says Garden
Donald Murray said apprentices now play a central role in the Gardenâs operations.
âApprenticeships have become integral to our success,â he said. âThey strengthen our ability to deliver highâquality horticulture and support our wider mission of education, skills development and public engagement.â
He added that apprentices bring âfresh ideas and energyâ, and that many careerâchanging recruits contribute valuable life experience.
According to the Garden, apprentices also gain skills through project work and seasonal programmes, including contributing to show gardens at events such as the Royal Welsh Show.
Aerial view of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, showing the Great Glasshouse and surrounding gardens.(Image: National Botanic Gardens Of Wales)
Garden says scheme supports Walesâ wider green skills agenda
The organisation says apprentices also act as âambassadors for horticulture, biodiversity and wellbeingâ by engaging with visitors, volunteers and community groups.
Looking ahead, the Garden says it hopes to expand its apprenticeship model into science, conservation, education, estates management and hospitality.
âFor other businesses considering apprentices, itâs been a noâbrainer for us,â Donald Murray said. âItâs helped us grow and filled key skills gaps.â
Minister praises programme
Minister for Skills Jack Sargeant said the scheme is an example of how apprenticeships can support Walesâ environmental ambitions.
âApprenticeships like those at the National Botanic Garden of Wales are essential to building the skilled workforce we need to tackle the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss,â he said.
âBy combining handsâon experience with recognised qualifications, weâre equipping the next generation with practical expertise to protect and restore our natural environment.â
A wider drone view captures the Great Glasshouse set within the Botanic Gardenâs 568âacre landscape.
(Image: National Botanic Gardens Of Wales)
Apprenticeship Week Wales runs from 9â15 February 2026, highlighting the impact of apprenticeship programmes across the country.
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