The benefits of a parks and gardens career

Australia has more than 500 national parks, which encompass 28 million hectares of land, according to federal government figures. This represents approximately 4 per cent of the country’s total land, with a further 6 per cent comprising state forests, conservation reserves and nature parks.

But who maintains this land and other parks and gardens in Australia? Horticulturists, groundskeepers and a range of other parks and gardens professionals help to cultivate and manage these areas to ensure their preservation.

Are you still deciding which career is the best one for you? Why not visit BUSY At Work’s Apprenticeship Central and learn more about the Harrison Online Career Assessment to find out which professions you’d be most suited to.

A parks and gardens apprenticeship can provide you with the skills and qualifications you need to forge a career in the sector. Still weighing up your options? Let’s have a look at a few of the advantages of working in these roles.

• Embrace the great outdoors: Anyone who embarks on a parks and gardens career must love working outside, as this can comprise a large amount of your time on the job. You’ll also have a chance to get closer to nature, which will appeal to anyone who is interested in plant and animal life.

An eye for the aesthetic means you can bring colour and flair to the areas that you govern.

• Contribute to conservation efforts: Maintaining delicate ecosystems and ensuring flora and fauna can thrive in their natural habitats is a key part of a job in parks and gardens, particularly in conservation reserves. Working in this industry, you can be confident you are directly helping the environment in a meaningful way.
• Strengthen communities Parks and gardens are places where people go to relax and explore nature. These areas are also used to host weddings, provide exercise classes, hold community events and a range of other functions. As a parks and gardens professional, you can help build stronger communities by maintaining these important social green areas.
• Flex your creative muscles Making parks and gardens look attractive is important, which means you’ll get to be creative in how you organise and manage various spaces. An eye for the aesthetic means you can bring colour and flair to the areas that you govern.

These are just some of the benefits of a parks and gardens position, but if this sounds like it may be the job for you, an apprenticeship could be the next step forward.

By Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator