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Free Level 1 Horticulture Course in Manchester

CostFREE
Duration9 months
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
StartFlexible
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 1 Horticulture Course in Manchester. Classes run at YMCA Walkden, full-time during the day. This free horticulture course is fully funded, so there are no fees to pay. Over 9 months, you'll build practical skills in growing plants, maintaining outdoor spaces, and working with the land. No formal entry requirements apply. You'll have an interview to confirm the course is the right fit. The City and Guilds level 1 horticulture qualification is a recognised first step toward work in gardens, parks, and green spaces.

Who this course is for

Do you like being outdoors, working with your hands and creating things that people can enjoy? Then a career in horticulture could be the right path for you.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. You will have an interview to make sure that this course is right for you.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop practical plant growing and cultivation skills.
  • You'll learn how to maintain and care for outdoor spaces.
  • You'll understand soil types and how they affect plant health.
  • You'll practise using and maintaining basic horticultural tools safely.
  • You'll learn to identify common plants, weeds, and pests.
  • You'll explore seasonal tasks and how to plan garden work through the year.

How you will learn

You'll learn through hands-on practical sessions and classroom-based study. Assessment is through practical tasks and observations carried out during the course. You'll be assessed on what you can do as well as what you know. There are no written exams.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. YMCA Walkden will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Gardener: maintaining private or public gardens and green spaces
  • Groundskeeper: caring for parks, sports grounds, or estates
  • Garden centre assistant: advising customers and tending stock plants
  • Landscape labourer: supporting landscaping and planting projects
  • Cemetery or crematorium grounds worker: maintaining memorial grounds
  • Local authority parks operative: working in council-managed open spaces

What you could study next

After this level 1 horticulture certificate, you could move on to a Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture or a Level 2 Diploma in Work-Based Horticulture. These qualifications go deeper into plant science, landscape maintenance, and professional practice. A Level 3 qualification in Horticulture or Landscape Management is the route toward supervisory and specialist roles.

Apply on ymca.co.uk →
Apply now →

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