Perennial funds new horticultural traineeship at West Dean Gardens

Perennial, the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping all horticulturists in times of need, is delighted to confirm a new partnership with West Dean Gardens, part of The Edward James Foundation, a charitable education trust located on the 6,400 acre West Dean Estate in West Sussex. It is the first Perennial funded traineeship to be agreed at West Dean and further strengthens Perennial’s existing portfolio of fully funded placements for students of horticulture.

The new trainee will assist in the day to day cultivation, maintenance and development of the gardens. Working under the acclaimed Gardens Manager Jim Buckland, the successful candidate will receive paid, high quality on-the-job training which includes an appropriate RHS qualification by day release at a local horticulture college.

Speaking about the new funding agreement, Sheila Thomson, Director of Services at Perennial, said, “We are delighted to be able to offer this new traineeship and look forward to working with the team at West Dean Gardens for many years to come. We see this placement as an important development in Perennial’s ongoing commitment to make a long-term contribution to horticulture training.”

The funding is provided through Perennial’s Lironi Training Fund, established in 2009 with a generous legacy left to Perennial by Miss Joan Lironi.

Sheila Thomson continues, “We seek training partnerships that offer practical experience coupled with a recognized qualification that will further students’ future employment prospects. This traineeship offers both with the added bonus that trainees are employed by West Dean full time and enjoy the same terms and conditions as other staff.”

Jim Buckland, Gardens Manager at West Dean Gardens, said, “We are very pleased to be working with Perennial to offer a future horticulturist the chance to learn in the wonderful gardens here. The work will be varied, encompassing the full range of horticultural skills required by those wishing to pursue a career in horticulture, all learned in the stimulating environment of our internationally recognised gardens. I look forward to welcoming a new member of the team to West Dean.”

The traineeship runs for fixed 2 year term with a salary of £16,500 for a 39 hour working week. The closing date for applications for the new Trainee Horticulturist is Friday 23 June. Interviews will take place in late June / early July.

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