Comments from Previous Trainees

Many of our trainees have gone on to successful horticultural careers at prestigious gardens around the country, including a number of National Trust for Scotland (NTS) properties.

Here are just a few comments from previous trainees:

“I served an apprenticeship with The MacRobert Trust from 1994 – 1998. The high quality of tuition I received from the staff gave me the confidence in the skills I learned to make a full time career in horticulture. The level of professionalism and enthusiasm that was passed on to me has led to 17 years in horticulture. I am now a 1st gardener, assisting in all levels of management at the National Trust for Scotland’s Inverewe gardens. None of this would have been possible without the input I received as an apprentice with The MacRobert Trust.”
James Hannaford – Trainee 1994 – 1998

“My training in the diverse gardens of The MacRobert Trust provided me with an excellent range of practical craft gardener skills, to develop a second and new career in horticulture. As a career student gardener, The Trust offered me a wonderful opportunity of comprehensive tuition and experience gained working alongside knowledgeable, professional gardeners in their organic walled kitchen garden, display and working greenhouses, propagation, formal lawns, machinery, extensive borders, woodland and streamside gardens. With the basis of this training, I was able a few years later to gain a post in one of Britain’s most renowned and influential gardens. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have trained at The MacRobert Trust; I thoroughly enjoyed every day of it and would have no hesitation in doing it all again!”
Neil Bradfield – Trainee 2006 – 2007

“I really enjoyed working with The MacRobert Trust as a trainee and learned lots about gardening and garden machinery by being involved in so many different jobs being carried out every day. The staff were all really helpful and I felt a part of the team really quickly. Because I passed my SVQ level 3 in the first year I was really pleased to be accepted for a second year to put my SVQ knowledge into practice. With all the training, experience and qualifications I obtained, I am now working as second in charge of the Estates Department at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, maintaining all of the university gardens and grounds.”
Kathryn Baird – Trainee 2009 – 2011

“During my time on the Horticultural Training Scheme at Douneside, I gained vast, essential work experience in wonderful surroundings in the heart of Royal Deeside. The great benefit was working and learning in everyday ‘on the job’ situations. The knowledge passed down from the friendly, experienced staff was extensive, and I also gained useful qualifications and training such as my SVQ Level 3 and pesticide and chainsaw certificates. Everything I learned and gained from my time at The MacRobert Trust is now vital for my career in the horticultural industry, and was instrumental in enabling me to secure a one-year placement with Rural Exchange New Zealand (RENZ) before going on to gain employment as a full time gardener at Oatridge College, Ecclesmachan. Overall, the Training Scheme at The Trust had a huge part to play in giving me a head start in the horticultural sector.”
Grant Nichol – Trainee 2009 – 2010

“Working for The MacRobert Trust has greatly helped in improving my knowledge and skills as a gardener, as well as providing me with guidance and support from a close knit team of colleagues and friends. As well as plenty of work experience, I have also completed my SVQ 3 in Horticulture Management, which has given me the opportunity to study towards a BSc in Horticulture with Plantsmanship at the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh. Above all I have enjoyed my year here and look forward to visiting in the future.”
Philip Raper – Trainee 2010 – 11

“Just before finishing a two-year course at Brooksby Melton College, I applied for a number of gardening vacancies. Even although I gained a National Diploma with distinction, all of the jobs required practical experience. My year as a trainee with The MacRobert Trust has given me a huge amount of real hands-on know how as well as my pesticide and chainsaw certificate and the experience I needed to progress in my career in gardening.”
Meriel Kenchington – Trainee 2010 – 11

If you would like to apply for a place on the Horticultural Training Scheme, please read the guidelines carefully before filling in the application form.