Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

The Work

Garden centre assistants work outside and in a retail shops. Similar posts can be found in retail nurseries.  
 
Work outside can include preparing ground ready for planting nursery stock, shrubs and trees. Weeding and cleaning the prepared beds, watering and pruning are all part of tending in the growing cycle. In the greenhouse, daily tasks can include pricking-out young plants, transferring them to larger pots, taking cuttings and grafting plants on to other plants of good root stock.  
 
In the retail shop area of a garden centre, assistants promote sales and advise customers on plant choice and how to look after plants. Other tasks include dealing with sales, stocking shelves, ordering new stock and helping with daily general tasks such as clearing up, watering, spraying and preparing stock for sale to the public. It can also involve handling money and recording purchases in an electronic cash register

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
• Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
• Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
• Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
• Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
• Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
• Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
• Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
• Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
• Inventory stock and requisition new stock.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Garden Centre Assistants is an entry role and mostly train on the job and some may take-up part-time or full-time study for various qualifications.

FET Centre Traineeship: Retail Associate NFQ level 5 Search FET Traineeship 

FET Centre PLC Courses: Horticultural & Retail courses NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC coursefinder

Professional Development 

Apprenticeship: Sales, Retail supervision, Horticulture NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeship 

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €15k - €50k

Entry level salaries usually below €25,000.

Average annual part time salary: €13,000.

Manager of a small to medium sized centre: €40-50,000.

Plant area manager: €25-32,000.

Data Source(s):
JobsInHorticulture/ Excel

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a below average growth rate, employment for sales assistants grew by 8,700 persons between 2021 and 2022 in line with the recovery in the wholesale and retail sector. However, recent job hires far exceeded any growth in employment pointing to significant job churn for this occupation.

This is likely to be related to the young profile of workers in this occupation (44% were aged 15-24 years) and the majority (58%) being in part-time roles. There was a large volume of vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland and OVATE. Job opportunities are likely to continue to arise for this occupation given its large size and the volume of turnover.

• Kildalton Horticultural College

  • Piltown, Co. Kilkenny
  • (051) 644400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

  • Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
  • (059) 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

  • Cabinteely House, The Park, Cabinteely, Dublin 18
  • (01) 493 7154
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Specialist Nurseries Association

  • Click Here