Pierce sparks career change to Horticulture
March 20, 2025
Hi! My name is Pierce Clarke, and I am 28 years old and come from Bangor. I worked in the engineering industry as an Electrical Consultant Engineer for seven years. During this time, I realised that I wasn’t happy and no longer enjoyed this career.
From an early age, I had an interest in plants and had green fingers from gardening with my grandparents. In 2020, I was made redundant and took this as an opportunity to pursue a career in Horticulture as I had ignored my true passion in life, plants! I was fortunate enough to have a best friend, Daryl Young, who has his own gardening business. Therefore, I was able to work with him whilst doing my own self-employed work. I quickly realised that horticulture was the line of work for me. I have suffered with poor mental health since I was 16. However, slowly but surely my mental health improved and I was having more good days than bad days.
Daryl had been studying at CAFRE Greenmount since 2019 and that is who gave me the push to pursue a Horticulture qualification. In 2023, I applied for the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture and I have not looked back.
I chose this course because it seemed like the best fit for what I wanted to learn – everything plant related. The wide range of topics and experience really appealed to me. I also enjoyed the even mix of practical and classroom work. The facilities at CAFRE Greenmount for horticulture are top class. You will not get a better understanding of horticulture anywhere else in Northern Ireland. This is also thanks to the outstanding lecturing team and instructors who will go the extra mile to help you. I am looking forward to completing my Level 3 course and advancing my qualification by progressing on to the Foundation Degree in Horticulture delivered at CAFRE, awarded by Ulster University.
The Level 3 in Horticulture covers everything you need to know to go out and work in the industry as a professional horticulturist. From learning different methods on how to propagate plants, hard/soft landscaping, habitat management, plant and soil science. As well as, plant identification, plant pest/disease/disorder identification, turf care and machinery, organic growing, garden design, nursery stock production, and much more! You are also required to complete 150 hours of work experience during the summer break between years one and two. I completed mine at National Trust Mount Stewart. My experience after first year fully prepared me for the work I carried out at Mount Stewart. I would highly recommend CAFRE Greenmount to anyone wishing to make a career in horticulture.
What I enjoy most about the course is learning about new plants, how they work and mostly learning about pests, diseases, and disorders. I would like to specialise in this after I complete my education.
If plants are your passion, book now to attend our Open Day on Wednesday, 26 March at Greenmount Campus, Antrim.