Kew Apprenticeship Application Pack The following documents are included within this pack:
Guidance Notes for Applicants – for your information
Job description – please read this document thoroughly, ensuring you are able to fulfil required personal specifications before completing your application form
Information sheet – on the Apprenticeship scheme
Horticulture Kew Gardens – Departmental Information
Application Form – This should be returned with your essay and photograph before the 28th February (see full instructions in Section10 of the application form)
Two reference forms – either acedemic or employment. In BLOCK CAPITALS please insert your name and the names of each referee as stated in Section 9 of the application form. Please send the relevant forms to your referees and ask them to return the references to Kew before the end of March. Use the appropriate form for your referee, (it is acceptable to have two acedemic, two employment or one of each). Note: for the purpose of the reference, volunteering will count as unpaid employment
Equality & Diversity Questionnaire – please complete and return with your application
Please read through all the information provided before completing your application. Further information about the Royal Botanic Gardens is available on the Kew website: www.kew.org Completed application forms together with an essay of 250-500 words describing why you wish to undertake the Kew Apprenticeship, should be returned no later than 28th February in the year in which admission is desired. We will only contact those candidates selected for interview. Therefore, if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, you should presume that you will not be called for interview.
May we take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and wish you luck with your application.
Apprenticeship Coordinator
E-mail: apprenticeship@kew.org
Guidance Notes for Applicants
Kew Apprenticeship in Botanical Horticulture
The Application Form – Section 1 Personal Details
The application form plays an important part in the selection process; decisions to shortlist candidates for interview are based solely upon the information you supply on your form and the form provides a basis for the interview itself.
Curriculum Vitaes (CVs) alone will not be accepted. However, CVs will be accepted in addition to a fully completed application form.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is unable to sponsor applicants to work in the United Kingdom. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure eligibility to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the appointment; see United Kingdom Border Agency for latest regulations. All successful applicants called to interview will be required to provide documentary evidence of their right to work in the United Kingdom at interview.
You may complete the form on a computer but please use the appropriate headings and format.
Sections 2, and 3 : Education, Horticultural Qualifications and standards of English language
Qualifications will be checked at interview. Therefore, if you are selected for interview please bring the original certificates with you.List in-house courses and professional qualifications if applicable.
If you are an applicant for whom English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you have obtained a standard in both written and spoken English, which is academically and internationally recognised. For advice please see www.ielts.org The International Language Testing System
Section 4: Horticultural Employment
Do not simply list the duties of your horticultural jobs, please give a brief explanation of the main duties of your horticultural employment. If unpaid employment (volunteering) please indicate clearly.
It is essential that you account for any gaps in employment.
Please give a brief explanation of the main duties of your non-horticultural employment. If unpaid employment (volunteering) please indicate clearly.
It is essential that you account for any gaps in employment.
Sections 6/7/8: Community Involvement, Leisure interests, other training positions
Community Involvement (including voluntary public service) – please complete if applicable.
Leisure interests/hobbies (including offices held in social/sports clubs etc. – please complete with relevant information. School Leaves should list all relevant school activities, clubs and memberships.
Section 9: References
We will require two references – they can be either academic or employment related. In BLOCK CAPITALS please insert your name and the names of each referee as detailed in Section 9 of the application form. Please send the relevant form to your referees and ask them to return the reference to us before the end of March, (it is acceptable to have two acedemic, two employment or one of each). Note: for the purpose of the reference, volunteering will count as unpaid employment
Section 10: Other information
Please return with your application form:
An essay of 250-500 words describing why you wish to undertake the Kew Apprenticeship, giving reasons.
A passport sized photograph of head and shoulders, attached to the front of this form. This will be stored on the personnel file of successful applicants.
Please return your Application Form to:
The Apprenticeship Coordinator, Tropical Nursery, GG+T, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB