Accredited Training

Gardening Workshops and Courses with ‘Seed2Plate’

Seed2Plate exists for people who have enthusiasm and a love of the outdoors, though lack traditional routes into education or work.

Our Level 1 Award in Horticulture is designed especially for:

  • Young adults (16 +) seeking a first qualification
  • Adults facing barriers to mainstream learning – carers, people with disabilities, those in recovery or long-term unemployment
  • Community-minded career-changers who want to turn a hobby into income or self-employment
  • Social enterprises, schools and local businesses who need staff with accredited gardening skills

Because no Dorset provider currently offers an entry-level horticulture qualification, our programme fills a vital gap and creates a clear pathway to Levels 2 & 3, apprenticeships and paid work.

Why Learners and Partners Choose Seed 2 Plate:

  • Flexible, informal delivery – in community gardens, allotments and partner venues close to where learners live.
  • Learn while you give back – trainees grow fresh produce for local foodbanks and community, turning every lesson into social impact.
  • Whole-person support – small groups (max 8) and trainers who understand SEN and other learner support needs.

Quality assurance – the course is quality-checked and awarded by the National Open College Network (NOCN), recognised by colleges and employers nationwide.

Our Level 1 Award is delivered as a twelve week course, with two four-hour sessions a week including:  

  • Understanding soil and growing media
  • Plant propagation – sowing seeds, taking cuttings, pricking out and potting up
  • Plant Selection – Characteristics and uses of plants, maintenance of plants, identifying plants for specific locations.

Sessions will be a mix of onsite practical sessions at our growing plots, with some online teaching.  Our accredited training will enable learners to progress onto more advanced courses (Levels 2 and 3) and potentially work as a gardener or horticulturalist.

Inclusive & Flexible

Our training provides an alternative to training held at set times and locations, which can exclude those with additional support needs.

National Recognition

As a member of the National Open College Network (NOCN), our training is nationally accredited, working to NOCN's common training and quality standards.

Person Centered

Our small class sizes, personalised and informal approach, helps our students to achieve their full potential.

Training is delivered from sites in Weymouth, Dorchester, Kingston Lacy, and Wimborne. 
For organisations we can deliver at your own site as required.

We run courses on request and are not restricted to college academic years for our accredited training. Please contact us for more information on Lydia.Harvey@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk

Our workshops and courses require no prior education or qualifications, just an interest in gardening. 

Groups typically vary from six to ten people, with training held in an informal environment. 

No, our courses are based on developing practical skills, with no examinations required to complete the course. 

The answer is yes.  We like to think though that practical skills are best learnt in a group setting where you can also learn from each other. 

“I joined Seed 2 Plate after being out of work for three years. The friendly tutors and practical lessons rebuilt my confidence.”
Sam, 27
S2P participant
“Doing the course with my support worker was brilliant. I passed my first ever exam and sold veg from my own plot.”
Becca, 19
Course Participant

Our training programme was set up with support of the RHS Flourish Fund, and we have partnered with SEND schools such as EMA (Employ My Ability) to deliver this training for their students.

Ready to Start?

If you are interested in our training or Seed2Plate volunteering please contact: 

Lydia Harvey, Enterprise Co-ordinator

📧 Lydia.harvey@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk

📞  07421 994591

 

Partners can support us by providing:

  • Referrals of young people interested in our training,
  • Accessible training venues
  • Sponsorship of young people to undertake accredited training.

Contact us to discuss options for becoming a partner or stakeholder:

Paul Seaman, Programme Manager

📧 paul.seaman@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk
📞  07421 994587