Annual Horticultural Internship

The Garden Museum is delighted to announce a new Horticultural Internship that will provide a recently qualified horticulturalist with a unique opportunity for training and career progression.

The Scheme will combine a part-time gardener's role with the opportunity to shadow some of the country's top gardeners and designers, providing an exclusive overview of Britain's horticultural industry. The Intern will also work closely with the Museum planning a variety of horticultural events ranging from plant and nursery fairs to symposia, debates and lectures, which at the same time will introduce the individual to many of the country's top horticulturalists.

In return for an allowance towards living expenses and the privilege of shadowing top designers such as Tom Stuart Smith and working on exciting projects such as a major Chelsea Flower Show garden construction, the Intern would be expected to work for 20 hours each week under the supervision of the Museum's Head of Horticulture and alongside garden volunteers.

This initiative has been developed in direct response to current concerns about the training and recruitment of professional gardeners. The Museum is committed to supporting the excellence of British gardening and believes this unique scheme will form a bridge between high quality horticultural education and full-time work. The Intern would leave at the end of the year with an exciting portfolio of experience, and the Museum's ambition is that in future years Garden Museum Interns will be working in top class gardens throughout the country.

Garden Museum Director, Christopher Woodward says: 'We meet a lot of talented horticulturalists finishing college or a training course with huge enthusiasm but uncertain about what to do next. We think that a year at the Museum will give someone a range of opportunities - and hands-on experience in an iconic garden. It will be exciting for us to engage with a new talent each year'.

Applications will be invited from top-class candidates who fit the criteria of the scheme. The scheme will commence in Autumn 2009.