One year on: Richard Murray reflects on his journey through horticulture

Date published: 17 June 2026

“I had been working within the Horticulture industry for about eight years before going to CAFRE,” Richard explains. “I had made my mind up that this was the industry I wished to be in, but I wanted to take the opportunity to gain further learning, practical experience and networking.”

Despite already holding a BA (Hons) in Business Management and an MSc in Strategic Management, Richard found that the roles his qualifications led to did not provide him with a sense of fulfilment. Having already transitioned into the Horticulture industry, he saw higher education as the key to progression: “I wanted to progress to higher and better-paid positions, which is why I began studying at CAFRE.”

Richard studied part-time at Greenmount Campus, attending one day per week. This structure allowed him to balance study with full-time work while gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. “Classes were a mixture of presentations, practical work such as planting seeds, group work and outside learning like plant ID walks,” he recalls. For Richard, the people he met were just as important as the course content. “We enjoyed breaks together, which gave us time to get to know classmates and learn about different interests within the industry. It was great to be surrounded by so many like-minded and passionate people.” 

Alongside his studies, Richard worked at Woodlawn Garden and Lifestyle and ran his own business, Lakeland Horticulture. “My time at CAFRE helped me to skill up and gave me the confidence to take the leap into self-employment - one of the best decisions I have ever made.

“I was able to gain real world experience working alongside contacts I had met through being at CAFRE,” he notes. Those experiences, combined with his qualifications, opened the door to new opportunities.

Today, Richard works as a Woodland Officer for Belfast City Council, a position he credits directly to his studies. “I would not have been eligible to apply for my current role if I had not successfully gained these qualifications,” he explains. “My main role is to carry out health and safety surveys on street trees, responding to safety concerns from members of the public.”

Richard takes great pride in the work he does. “I enjoy the chance to work in a qualified and driven team, whilst also having the opportunity to continually improve my knowledge base through learning on the job.”  One of his standout achievements so far has been the scale of his work. “I am particularly proud to have surveyed around 3,000 trees so far,” he says.

Looking back, Richard recognises how well his studies prepared him for his current role. “The module in Estate Management gave me a strong understanding of amenity tree management and knowledge that I apply directly in my day-to-day work. The course is heavily focused on making decisions which support sustainability within the horticulture industry, protecting the landscape for years to come.”

Reflecting on his time at CAFRE, Richard is clear about its impact on his career. “It is somewhere that I enjoyed learning and building up knowledge, qualifications and contacts that have been instrumental in my career progression,” he says. 

If you are interested in a career in Horticulture, CAFRE offers courses from Level 2 to BSc (Hons) degree. Full-time, part-time and apprenticeship routes are available, and courses are suitable for those leaving school or those considering a change in career. To find out more, visit the CAFRE website.