One of England's most experienced gardeners, Alan Titchmarsh, has been announced as ambassador for English Heritage's Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP), helping to 'grow' the gardeners of tomorrow.

The programme, which provides paid traineeships for aspiring horticulturalists, creates the chance for passionate individuals to take their first step into a career in gardening, whether as a young person straight from education or as a career change later in life.

Trainees work for a year alongside professional garden teams at some of the country's most important historic and botanic gardens from Osborne on the Isle of Wight and Walmer Castle in Kent to Cambo and Aldourie Castle in Scotland. There they have the chance to gain a rounded skill set and wide practical experience from which they can launch their horticultural career.

Helen Piper, who trained at Osborne on the Isle of Wight and will be going on to the prestigious Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Horticultural Trainee Technician Scheme. Elizabeth Bettney who trained at Audley End in Essex has now secured a highly sought-after Fellowship at Longwood Gardens in the US. These are just two of the 17 trainees graduating this year.

A further 17 trainees based at 14 gardens – both those run by English Heritage and others – are embarking on the programme this month.

Alan Titchmarsh MBE said, 'I'm really proud to be the ambassador for English Heritage's Historic Botanic Garden Training Programme. We have tremendous skills in this country, and it's vital that we keep them going.'

Elinor Davies, English Heritage's Historic and Botanic Garden Training Manager said, 'We are delighted to have the support of Alan Titchmarsh for our HBGTP. We are very proud that our programme not only supports skills training for future generations of gardeners, but it helps to ensure that our garden heritage will be in very safe – green – hands for the future.

She continued, 'Finding a first paid gardening role is a challenge for all aspiring gardeners. Most paid positions in the sector require previous experience, and it can be difficult to obtain this experience even with horticultural qualifications. Gardeners from low-income backgrounds are particularly disadvantaged at the beginning of their career, as they may not have had the opportunities to undertake unpaid volunteer roles to build up their practical experience.'

The National Garden Scheme has supported the HBGTP since 2022 with an initial donation of £375,000 over three years to fund seven trainees per annum.

National Garden Scheme CEO George Plumptre said, 'Quality gardens and gardeners have always been at the heart of the National Garden Scheme and we are strongly committed to helping people gain the necessary qualifications to become experts and enjoy a rewarding career.

'English Heritage's HBGTP scheme combines excellent garden-based training with a strong track record in achieving good placements as trainees complete their course. Added to this, English Heritage look after some fabulous gardens where they support the National Garden Scheme with annual events for visitors. Having Alan Titchmarsh as an Ambassador will add to the prestige of the scheme and really help to raise its profile.'

Participating gardens this year:

• Aldourie Castle, Inverness-shire
• Audley End House and Gardens (English Heritage), Essex
• Cambo, Fife
• Chatsworth, Derbyshire
• Fulham Palace House and Garden, London
• Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
• Helmingham Hall Gardens, Suffolk
• Holkham Estate, Norfolk
• Newby Hall, North Yorkshire
• Osborne (English Heritage), Isle of Wight
• Picton Castle and Gardens, Pembrokeshire
• Walmer Castle and Gardens (English Heritage), Kent
• Winterbourne House and Garden, Birmingham
• Wrest Park (English Heritage), Bedfordshire

English Heritage has managed the HBGTP since 2006.

Other support for the programme comes from The Royal Horticultural Society, The Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust, and The Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust.