“Find an apprenticeship and just do it!”
To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (Monday 5 to Sunday 11 February), we caught up with Emily Brannigan, an apprentice gardener in the Estates team, to hear about her move into horticulture and her advice for budding apprentices.
Tell us about your role…
Emily: "I’m an apprentice gardener here at Warwick. I work full-time but also study for the Horticultural Operative Level 2 qualification at Pershore College alongside this.
My role involves learning about horticulture – from basics such as sowing seeds, all the way through to designing flowerbeds."
How did you discover your apprenticeship, and what was the application process?
Emily: "I’d been looking for a chance to get into the industry, and after doing some research it seemed like an apprenticeship was the best way forward for me, especially because horticulture is such a tough industry to get into.
I knew that Warwick offered apprenticeships, so I waited until the application process opened and then submitted my details. I was delighted to be offered the role!"
What’s the most challenging part of getting into horticulture?
Emily: "You have to complete certain qualifications for most roles in the industry, so you’ll often have to pay your own money to take that qualification and they can be quite expensive. With an apprenticeship it’s all covered, which is great. You earn a little bit less while you’re working and studying, but in the end it works out better."
What’s your biggest work achievement so far?
Emily: "I learned how to hedge-lay, which was fascinating. It’s very important to keep that artform going. I also worked with my team to lay more than 350 metres of hedging, and seeing how that’s grown and thrived throughout the year has been great.
I've now had the opportunity to design by own flowerbed, outside of the Benefactors accommodation building. I carefully selected the plants, measured the bed out and edged it before it was dug over for planting. We're now at the planting stage! I would say that this is my biggest achievement to date and one that I'm immensely proud of.
Who’s your inspiration?
Emily: "My family have inspired me a lot – my dad is a very keen gardener.
Now, I’m inspired by the people I work with and study alongside. They’re all from different backgrounds and have different interests and specialisms within the industry, and I learn so much from them."
What’s it like working outside every day?
Emily: "I love it! A few years ago I might have said differently, but as long as you’re dressed for the task, you’ll be fine.
I’ve always played sport and been quite active, but I’ve never felt as physically fit and healthy as I do right now. My phone-use is down a lot, too. I don’t think I’ve ever slept this well before!"
Where do you see yourself in the future?
Emily: "I’d love to stay at Warwick. If I pass my Level 2 qualification, my goal would be to go onto a Level 3 or a diploma. Ultimately, I’d like to continue progressing, exploring different avenues within the industry, and discovering opportunities for professional development."
What sort of educational background do you have?
Emily: "I took on administrative roles within higher education after I’d graduated from university. During lockdown, I spent a lot of time in the garden and realised I really enjoyed learning and working at the same time. I knew a change was needed, but as I didn’t have the qualifications or expertise to move straight into a job in horticulture, the apprenticeship made sense to me."
What advice do you have for someone looking to enter the horticulture industry?
Emily: "Find an apprenticeship and just do it! I don’t think there’s any better way. If you have a supportive employer, there’ll be so many experts to learn from and visits to take part in. You can see every side of the industry at the same time as you’re learning about it."