Do you want to work in the green sector? Check out the opportunities here.

Why more and more people are choosing green professions

The demand for personnel in the green sector is growing! Not for nothing are professions such as horticulturists, green keepers, arborists and horticulturalists on the UWV's list of promising professions. At the same time, more and more working people are seeing the benefits of a job in green:

• You can work outside
• Being physically busy
• Staff is in high demand
• You contribute to a more beautiful and greener environment
• And your work is also very varied!

Temporary worker Roel felt the same way. At first he worked in the hospitality industry, but he liked working outdoors so much that he decided to switch to green spaces. And so he trained as a landscaper.

How do I make the transition to a green profession?

Do you want to work in horticulture, landscaping or as a gardener? Then there are several ways to prepare yourself for a career in green space. Whether you are a lateral entrant or have just left school, there are always opportunities to develop in this sector.

Choose the right training or course

To start or advance in a green profession, you can take a multi-year course, but in some cases you can also take a course that is a little shorter. Below you can read about the different training routes available to you:

Training gardener, green and more

For recognized training for professions such as landscaper, gardener, garden designer or landscaper, there are a lot of MBO and HBO courses you can take:

• MBO Assistant plant, animal or green environment | Level 1, 1 year
• Mbo Medewerker hovenier | Level 2, 1-2 years
• MBO Skilled Gardener | Level 3, 2-3 years
• Mbo Medewerker natuur, water en recreatie | Level 2, 1-2 years
• MBO Skilled employee nature, water and recreation | Level 3, 1 year
• MBO Medewerker groen, grond en groene infra | Level 2, 1-2 years
• MBO Skilled employee green, soil and green infra | Level 3, 2-3 years
• MBO Vakexpert green, soil and green infra | Level 4, 3-4 years
• MBO Supervisor/Executioner green space | Level 4, 3-4 years

Do you already have your Mbo level in your pocket? Then you can always continue your education by following a Hbo:

• Bachelor's degree in garden and landscape design

Horticultural training

Would you like to work in horticulture? Then you can go in different directions:

• MBO Skilled Crop Worker | Level 3, 2-3 years
• MBO Vakexpert cultivation and green technology | Level 4, 3-4 years
• Mbo Medewerker cultivation | Level 2, 1-2 years
• MBO Vakexpert biodynamic agriculture | Level 4 3-4 years
• MBO Skilled employee biodynamic agriculture | Level 3, 3-4 years

Are you looking for a step up anyway? Then the following courses might be for you:

• Bachelor associate degree in horticultural management
• HBO bachelor's degree in Horticulture & Agribusiness
• Bachelor associate degree in horticulture and arable farming
• HBO bachelor's degree in horticulture and arable farming

Courses and certificates

Of course, you can also take a somewhat shorter continuing education course. Use the links below to find the green course that suits you:

• Gardener
• Horticulture
• Landscaping

Use grants or reimbursements

With the help of reimbursements from Doorzaam you can cover (part of) the cost of your course, training or education. For example, by applying for a Scholingsvoucher worth €500. Will you follow a training for a profession that is on the UWV's list of promising professions? Then you can apply for the Kansberoepbudget.

Optional: Follow an apprenticeship program

Are you working as a temporary worker and would like to continue learning without quitting your job? Then an apprenticeship program might suit you. Learning and working at the same time. This is possible if your employment agency is a recognized work placement company. Want to know more about such an apprenticeship program? Discover everything you need to know here .