Hello, I’m Josef Lloyd, and I’ll be leading the Horticulture Skills course. Having spent a lifetime working with plants and people, I bring a wealth of practical knowledge and a commitment to high quality, engaging teaching. My approach is grounded in real world experience and focused on helping learners build confidence, practical skill, and a genuine connection with the natural world.

Over the years, I’ve worked across the industry, from managing Soil Association organic market gardens and National Trust historic landscapes to creating an award winning garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. I have taught horticulture in prisons ( cat B,C & D ) in England and Wales, up to diploma level, and have also designed and delivered engaging gardening lessons in schools. Along the way, I’ve helped learners at every stage develop practical, job-ready skills that build confidence and open doors to new opportunities.

Through Growing Skills, I deliver my UKRS accredited and quality assured horticulture training designed for prison settings and professional environments alike. Each course is hands-on, purposeful and achievable, offering real progression routes and industry recognised certification.

Our training can be delivered anywhere in the UK, providing flexible access to high quality, work focused horticulture education that fits around existing schedules and operational needs.

For me, horticulture has always been about more than plants, it’s about growth, purpose and potential. Whether in custody or employment, learning to nurture something living can change the way people see themselves and their future.

If you’d like to discuss how Growing Skills could support your prison or workplace education programme, I’d love to hear from you.