Course overview
Take your first step into horticulture and outdoor crafts through this
practical, supportive programme designed to help you explore new skills, build
confidence and discover your interests.
You’ll have the opportunity to try a range of horticultural activities and
related outdoor crafts, gaining hands-on experience in an engaging learning
environment. The course offers a gentle introduction to working outdoors, with
the possibility of progressing to a horticultural qualification in the future,
where appropriate.
This practical programme is designed for 16–24-year-olds who are not
currently in education, employment or training and are interested in outdoor,
horticultural or creative careers.
Based at The Firs in Hastings, you’ll learn in a practical garden
environment, working in the polytunnel, growing area, classroom and outdoor
spaces. You’ll develop hands-on skills including seed sowing, bulb planting,
looking after plants and maintaining outdoor spaces, alongside creative projects
such as willow weaving and making planters and natural wreaths.
You’ll also develop valuable workplace and employability skills, including
teamwork, reliability, timekeeping, communication and working safely.
With practical activities, demonstrations and supportive guidance throughout,
the course is designed to help you build confidence, discover what you enjoy and
take your next step towards further study, employment or an apprenticeship.
Why choose this course?
- Develop practical horticulture and creative craft skills
- Gain experience in a real working garden environment
- Learn through hands-on projects and supported activities
- Build confidence and develop workplace behaviours
- Explore potential careers in horticulture and creative crafts
- Develop teamwork, communication and employability skills
- Receive support with your next steps into further study, employment or an
apprenticeship - One day per week, every Friday
- Based at The Firs, Hastings
Modules
Horticulture and Growing
Learn the basics of growing and caring for plants through practical activities. You’ll work in the polytunnel and growing areas, developing skills such as seed sowing, bulb planting and maintaining plants.
Creative Outdoor Crafts
Get creative with natural and practical materials. Activities may include willow weaving, making planters and creating decorative natural wreaths, while developing your practical problem-solving and making skills.
Garden and Outdoor Maintenance
Develop an understanding of how to maintain a safe, tidy and productive garden environment. You’ll work together to care for the garden, polytunnel and classroom spaces.
Practical Skills and DIY
Build your confidence with practical tasks, including creating a planter in the Skills Shed and learning basic DIY skills.
Employability and Workplace Skills
Develop the behaviours and skills needed for the workplace, including teamwork, reliability, timekeeping, communication, responsibility and working safely.
Progression and Next Steps
Explore opportunities for further learning, employment and apprenticeships, with support to identify the next step that works for you.
How will I be assessed?
This is a practical, hands-on programme where you’ll learn through demonstrations, supported activities and real-life projects.
You’ll receive regular feedback from tutors as you develop your practical skills and workplace behaviours. Progress will be monitored throughout the programme, with opportunities to reflect on your achievements and identify your next steps.
There is a balance of practical and classroom-based learning, with assessment focused on your participation, development and ability to apply new skills in practical situations.
Work experience
Industry placements enhance your studies and are an important part of your course. They ensure you develop the key skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to be successful in your chosen industry, resulting in you leaving college ready for the world of work. It is compulsory to undertake an element of work experience when studying a Level 1, 2, or 3 course. The number of hours you must complete will depend on your level of study.
Course Level:
- Level 1 – Minimum of 30 hours of industry placement
- Level 2 – Minimum of 75 hours of industry placement
- Level 3 – Minimum of 150 hours of industry placement (per year of your course)
- T Level – Minimum of 315 hours of industry placement
Bursaries
Financial support could be available to you depending on your household income, eligibility criteria, and level of study. A bursary, which is money given directly by the Government, could help fund bus travel, accommodation, course equipment, college meals, or educational trips.
Course Fees
Students aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year of starting the course do not pay tuition fees.
Adults aged 19+ may be entitled to a tuition fee waiver on certain courses (where the Government pays the tuition and assessment fee) if any of the following apply:
You are aged between 19 and 23 and:
- This is your first Full Level 2 or Full Level 3 qualification.
- You are undertaking English and Maths up to and including Level 2.
- You are unemployed or economically inactive and your gross annual income is below £26,800.
- Your course is part of the Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs offer (and you meet the earnings threshold)
You are aged 24+ and:
- You are studying a Level 1 or Level 2 course and are unemployed, economically inactive, or earning below £26,800 gross annually.
- You are undertaking English and Maths up to and including Level 2.
- Your course is part of the Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs offer (and you meet the earnings threshold)
All students pay a standard facility fee of £150 to use communal, non-educational facilities.
Material fees apply to Floristry, Blacksmithing and Metalwork, Agricultural Engineering, and Motor Vehicle students.
Equipment & PPE
Students on a 14-16, Level 1, 2, 3, or Foundation Learning course may be required to purchase equipment such as a uniform, PPE, or kit before starting their course. Material fees are applicable depending on the course studied.
Start dates
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