Career Builder
Career Builder membership is designed to facilitate the transition for early-career horticulturists towards full Membership.
Existing members can simply upgrade their current membership here.
The scheme is open to all early-career horticulturists who have either been a Student Member of the CIH or have less than 5 years professional experience in horticulture.
This is a new programme initiated by the Institute to encourage driven individuals to fast track their progress to full membership by undertaking professional activity which counts as experience and qualifying units for full membership.
Career Builder members will be eligible to use the post-nominal letters ACIHort and will receive the same rights and privileges as those afforded to Associate members.
The CIH encourages applications from career-changers, apprentices and those from other vocational training routes.
Duration
3 years, after which the participant will be eligible for full membership.
Do I qualify for Career Builder membership?
Career Builder members must continue to meet the ‘General membership requirements’ and also to the ‘CIH professional code of conduct’, i.e. be working or studying within horticulture or a closely allied discipline.
Career Builder’s are expected to conduct 15 hours of continuing professional development (CPD). A CPD Portfolio will need to be submitted in January each year.
CPD will be self-guided using the competency framework for professional development and using the same guideline stipulated for Chartered Members. CPD is logged under six different categories, a member needs to illustrate a broad range of CPD with no more than 60% of hours coming from one category.
Benefits
Career Builder members will be eligible to use the post-nominal letters ACIHort and will receive the same rights and privileges as those afforded to Associate members.
Cost
Less than half the cost of full membership, £52 Career Builder membership is designed to be sensitive to the salary pressures incurred by early-career horticulturists.
Progression
Career Builders will automatically become eligible for full Membership after 3 years.
How do I apply?
All you need to do is click apply now and fill on our online application form. Your application will be processed within 5 working days. If you have been successful in your application we will then email you to arrange payment and your certificate and membership card will then be posted to you.
Why become a Career Builder member?
Member Discounts
Reduced CIH event attendance for student members.
Post-nominal letters
Use of ACIHort to demonstrate your level of expertise to potential customers and employers
e-Horticulturist
A monthly email digest of industry and CIH events and news
Networking
Branch visits provide opportunities to network and gain access to otherwise unavailable facilities and individuals.
The Horticulturist journal
View the printed copy of our journal, currently issued three times a year, written specifically for our members to keep them informed of current events and articles of interest
Career Progression
Undertake regular CPD and get on track to full membership with a view to achieving Chartered Horticulturist status.