Associate Trainer Programme

Shape your skills. Shape the future.

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Train and assess the next generation

Working with a nationally recognised awarding body, turn your land-based skills into a new opportunity.

Delivered in partnership with Groundwork London and The National Lottery Fund and delivered predominantly online, our Associate Trainer programme gives you the qualifications, skills and confidence to deliver professional training and assessment - at no cost to you or your business.

In partnership with 

A tutor sitting down and teaching a student at Capel Manor College in London. An example of where completing the Associate Trainer Programme could take you.
Two horticulture students at Capel Manor College during a practical session out in the gardens.

What is the Associate Trainer programme?

This 100% funded training programme is designed to help you build a new direction alongside your practical career, share the knowledge you’ve earned and help grow London’s green workforce.

Through the programme, you can:

  • Learn how to plan, deliver and assess training
  • Build hands-on experience supporting learners
  • Develop specialist skills in quality assurance
  • Gain recognised qualifications in teaching and assessment
  • Help shape the next generation of land-based professionals

Who is the programme for?

Experienced land-based professionals who want to develop the skills to train, assess and support others. Horticulture and arboriculture are the priority areas, though other relevant land-based skills will be considered. The programme is designed to sit alongside your current work. You don't need to leave your profession to take part.

You could be a good fit if you:

  • A minimum of 5 years' relevant occupational experience in a land-based sector
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Good digital skills and attention to detail
  • A desirer to contribute to London’s future green workforce

Your training pathway

Everyone starts with teaching. After that, your route depends on your experience and the places available.

Build your teaching confidence
Induction and study towards a teaching qualification (AET or equivalent), with teaching practice and assessment. You'll learn how to plan and deliver effective sessions.

Strengthen your technical practice
All participants take hands-on short courses such as pesticide application, chainsaw use and grounds machinery, delivered in person at Enfield.

Develop as an assessor
Selected participants progress into CAVA assessment, judging learners against recognised standards, gathering evidence and giving useful feedback. This stage is studied independently, with mentor support.

Explore quality assurance
A small number go on to complete NPTC assessor training and technical evaluation, then develop internal quality assurance (IQA) skills through learner monitoring, standardisation and final assessment

Associate Trainer Programme FAQs

Complete the online application form. The Business Team reviews all applications for suitability and lets you know the outcome. If you're successful, you'll return a signed trainer agreement and be offered train-the-trainer dates to book onto.

This is fully funded training, at no cost to participants.

No. The programme is designed for experienced land-based professionals who want to develop their teaching and training skills not for people who already teach.

A minimum of 5 years' relevant occupational experience in a land-based sector.

A nationally recognised qualification demonstrating your competence to train and assess learners working towards land-based qualifications, built up across four stages: PTLLS/AET, CAVA, NPTC Assessor Training & Technical Evaluation, and IQA.

The programme will take between 6-12 months, running October to June.

Yes. The AET, CAVA and IQA stages are online and self-paced, so you study in your own time with mentor support. The practical short courses are delivered face-to-face at the college, and the NPTC assessor course takes place at the awarding body's own premises.

Yes — you'll be paired with a mentoring buddy and have regular support sessions on Teams.