Kevin’s horticulture journey
Kevin studied the Horticulture Operative apprenticeship at Capel Manor College.
“I enrolled on the Horticultural Operative Trailblazer apprenticeship and attended for 18 months in total. Before I enrolled on this course I was an architectural model-maker for 14 years. I thought I knew what I wanted to do as a career until I discovered horticulture and all the amazing opportunities available to work and study.
I was very happy at Capel Manor College and I thought the course was excellent. It was very well structured with a good balance of classroom study and practical hands-on learning. I really felt that I learnt such a lot in a short space of time and there was lots of support available to do so. It was a fantastic experience and I found lectures particularly interesting. I also enjoyed putting newly gained knowledge into practice and working in the beautiful gardens in Capel Manor Gardens. There are some amazing plants there and some very impressive specimens.
Capel Manor College has excellent facilities and grounds. It boasts a diverse collection of plants and garden conditions which makes it a superb place to learn and carry out a wide variety of practical tasks. The library is also a real gem and packed full of a huge variety of extremely useful and fascinating books. I used the library every single week which really aided my learning. I gained a huge amount of knowledge and confidence from being on this course.
I am now working as a freelance gardener and I am slowly building up a base of clients whom I garden for regularly. I have found that gardening solo has really challenged my horticultural knowledge and I am still learning lots, which I love. I also love the vast amount of opportunities available in beautiful parts of the world. My goal is to work in a completely organic garden where nature and sustainability are at the core of my daily work.
I would strongly recommend Capel Manor College to anyone who has a desire to have a career in horticulture. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience there and I found it a great place to learn. I also made some great friends from being on the course and I feel it enhanced my learning from mixing with other like-minded people. I would always look forward to my college day and it was an inspiring place to be.”
