York Gate apprentices share their experiences

This National Apprenticeship Week we are delighted to celebrate not just our current apprentices at York Gate Garden, but previous ones too.

We currently have two apprentices, Kate Holliday and Sian Allen. Both study at Askham Bryan College in York, working towards an RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Garden Planning and Applied Propagation.

Kate is in the second year of her apprenticeship and will sadly be leaving us later this year, whereas Sian started hers in September and will be with us until 2026.

Kate’s journey: From amateur to professional gardener

Kate began her horticulture journey in a small yard where she built planters from found materials, kept a tiny greenhouse, grew in pots and started a collection of young acer trees; she then progressed to an allotment. In 2019, Kate took the plunge to try and turn her passion into her profession, enrolling on the RHS Practical Horticulture Level 2 course, followed by Level 3 a year later.

Whilst studying Level 3, Kate began volunteering at York Gate Garden alongside her full-time role helping to run a gallery/bookshop. It was a busy time and a big step to switch career to horticulture, but it’s a change she is grateful for and cherishes every day. 

Kate said: ‘I’ve loved every minute of the Perennial apprenticeship so far. I work with a wonderful team of staff and volunteers, learning daily from a wide variety of tasks with the garden team and from one another, as well as studying RHS Level 2 theory and now Level 3.

‘We’ve all been busy working hard together to get the garden ready for snowdrop days. It’s been wonderful welcoming folk back to the garden, enjoying our varied collection, including personal favourites Galanthus ‘Wasp’, Galanthus ‘Spindlestone Surprise’ and Galanthus plicatus 'Diggory'.

Sian’s journey: From support worker to professional gardener

Sian started as an apprentice at York Gate Garden in September 2024 having been a garden volunteer the previous year. She has spent the last couple of years studying horticulture theory at Shipley College alongside her job as a support worker for people with learning disabilities.

Sian’s main areas of interest in the garden are edible and productive plants and on a day off she can often be found on her allotment.

‘In the future I would love to run a therapeutic horticulture project bringing my passions for horticulture and working with people with learning difficulties together.

‘Having been a volunteer, I was already familiar with many of the friendly staff and volunteers at York Gate and this has helped me settled into my role.

‘In only a few months my knowledge and confidence have come a long way, in theory at least! The true test will be when the growing season really gathers steam. I have been given the task of planning the Kitchen Garden for the season. I'm really pleased to have the chance to do this as it’s my favourite area of the garden. I am hoping to include many traditional allotment favourites alongside a cut flower border, and more adventurously I am aiming to include a permaculture-inspired perennials bed!

‘Sometimes when busy working in the garden it can be easy to take the surroundings for granted, but I love to see the first splashes of colour of the season appear. I felt compelled to stop and photograph the hellebores and snowdrops at their peak,’ said Sian.

What do apprentices do at York Gate Garden?

An apprenticeship at York Gate Garden is not just about working in the garden and honing your skills. It’s also providing our apprentices with an opportunity to experience practical gardening in other, different styles and types of gardens.

We have a great relationship with other local attractions including RHS Garden Harlow Carr where our apprentices regularly visit to gain experience in different areas of gardening such as alpine gardening, along with experiences maintaining gardens at historic houses.

They also learn from their gardening colleagues on a daily basis, picking up hints and tips on things such as trimming the topiary, planting trees and plants, propagation methods and watching things they plant go through the process from seed to plant.

We also love those who have a creative flair, allowing them the chance to experiment with flower arrangements in visitor areas and creating visitor information boards.

Life after an apprenticeship at York Gate Garden

Jack’s journey: From Apprentice to Garden Manager

Jack Ogg has recently taken up the post as Garden Manager. We first welcomed him to our gardens several years ago when he was starting out in his horticultural career and came to our garden as an apprentice. Jack now has the responsibility of sharing his extensive knowledge, care and encouragement with the apprentices he manages today.

Jack Ogg said: ‘The apprentices are a great asset to York Gate Garden and bring new passion and life to the garden. They gain experience in practical gardening that you don't get with all horticultural qualifications.

‘I feel very privileged to have helped past and present apprentices further their career in the industry. Having been there myself, I understand the importance of having the support of a mentor and experienced gardeners willing to share their knowledge to help you succeed.’

How you can become an apprentice at York Gate Garden

Our apprentice opportunities are advertised on our website and social media channels and are always extremely popular. Please follow York Gate Garden on socials to be sure you don’t miss out on our next opportunity later this year.

You’ll be required to complete an application form, and if you’re shortlisted, we’ll invite you for an interview at the garden then make an offer to the chosen applicant.

We ensure our apprenticeships overlap, so we can offer you the best opportunity, learning from your peers as well as the staff in our gardens.

We recruit apprentices of all ages, no matter what point in life you’re starting out on your horticultural journey.

About York Gate Garden

York Gate is a charming one-acre garden near Leeds with Grade II National Heritage status. It was created by the Spencer family who bequeathed the garden to Perennial in 1994. One of the finest small gardens in the country, the garden is divided by yew and beech hedges into a series of smaller gardens, each with its own theme and style. The design of ‘rooms’ interlinked through a succession of vistas and executed with meticulous attention to detail owed much to the Arts and Crafts movement, complemented by a beautiful array of plants.  Visitors to the garden can also enjoy a café, gift shop and plant sales.