Case studies

Philip White has recently had a major career change - from working as a holiday rep in Greece to an apprenticeship in the Royal Parks in London.

Twenty-year-old Sam Walker from Leeds is heading for America after qualifying in landscape gardening with flying colours.

David Shipp is a student on the Kew rotational programme. The programme gives a broad range of training, covering hardy plants, arboretum displays, glass houses and nursery stock. David decided to enter the horticultural industry after leaving a successful career in the arts. Unfortunately, dancing is not a lifetime career; it is a very short-term job. I wanted to be involved with a job I am passionate about and I have always had a passion for gardening.

Lee Bestall has his own business designing and project managing gardens in the area of Sheffield. He has been interested in a career in horticulture since a very young age, but only recently became involved in the profession full-time after working in recruitment.

Michel Pouget is in the second year of his three-year rotational programme at the School of Horticulture at Kew. The programme gives a broad range of training, dealing with hardy plants, arboretum displays, as well as glasshouse and nursery stock. Before entering the horticultural profession, Michel, originally from France, completed a business degree specialising in sales and marketing. He then became heavily involved in the photographic industry, working firstly in sales and marketing of photographic products and then as a photographer.

Ruth Leatherbarrow is a first year Diploma student at Wisley. This two-year qualification gives students the chance to learn through practical and academic teaching in the grounds of Wisley gardens. Ruth originally comes from a background in the forces, serving as an aircraft engineer in The Royal Navy for almost five years. Before this she had studied design and technology to teaching degree level. Ruth left the Navy for medical reasons, so then began to think about alternative career paths she could follow.

Lewis Mifsud could be traveling to Canada to showcase his landscaping skills in an international competition next year.

Gerald Flanagan was washing up for a living when he decided to go to college to gain qualifications. The 42-year-old gardener was so successful that he is now an ambassador for training – encouraging colleagues to do the same and open up their options.

Catherine Clancy, Owner of Catherine Clancy Garden Design Business, works on garden design and build of residential and small community gardens, and provides garden advice and some maintenance work -particularly for gardens built by her business. Catherine has built up her business following her experience on Diarmuid Gavin's "Garden School" programme. She does the garden design, any planting required, some of the maintenance, and works with a number of local partners on building the gardens.