The Horticultural Trades Association would like to congratulate the winners of the 2025 WorldSkills UK National Finals in Landscaping and Horticulture, both of which are supported by the HTA’s Association of Professional Landscapers (APL).

As a competition organising partner, the APL designs the skills component to meet the needs of employers and ensure the competition remains an essential way to raise standards in apprenticeship and training programmes, attracting more young people into Landscaping and Environmental Horticulture in the UK.

From 25 to 28 November 2025, hundreds of competitors showcased their talents in over 40 skill areas at the WorldSkills UK National Finals, held across various venues in South Wales. The two competitions supported by the APL are Construction and Infrastructure: Landscaping, and Foundation Skills: Horticulture.

Phil Tremayne, APL General Manager, said: “Congratulations to the winner of the Landscaping competition: Archie Matthews, and to our Foundation Skills, Horticulture winner: Junior Rozhon. This year’s events across South Wales showcased the incredible expertise, creativity, and resilience of these young professionals. All the finalists should be proud of their performance and the skills and abilities they’ve demonstrated.

“The APL is proud to support these competitions, which emphasise the importance of skills development in our sector, but it wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors: J A Jones, Landscape Plus, Bradstone, Composite Prime and Pugh’s Garden Village in Cardiff.

“We now look ahead to the 2026 competition, where the APL will continue to nurture the next generation of landscaping and horticultural talent.”

The Landscaping WorldSkills UK Final, supported by the APL, was held at Bridgend College in Pencoed between Tuesday, 25 November and Thursday, 27 November. It is an individual competition where finalists have 16 and a half hours to build the same garden to the same specifications. It is judged against criteria set by the APL to determine who has created the highest quality garden. The judges also consider health and safety, as well as the competitors' work processes. For the planting section of the challenge, finalists are provided with a selection of plants to work with, but it is up to them to be creative and truly stand out.

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, said: “Congratulations to all those who participated in the WorldSkills UK national finals in Landscape Gardening.  We are grateful for the HTA’s ongoing support, which enables us to help apprentices and learners develop their skills to the highest level.  Our finalists are the new generation of high-flyers that will give UK employers a competitive edge.”

The Foundation Skills: Horticulture WorldSkills UK Final, supported by the APL, was held at Cardiff and Vale City Centre Campus in Cardiff on Friday, 28 November. This competition is to showcase the skills of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or additional learning needs (ALN). Finalists have two and a half hours to plant up seven planters – three identical ones for indoor arrangements, three of differing sizes for outdoor arrangements and one cone-shaped hanging basket. Competitors are encouraged to create their own eye-catching designs using the plants provided. Once planted, the next phase of the competition is to merchandise their arrangements. There is a planogram to follow, but also plenty of space and props to create an attractive display. They are judged on accessibility, creativity, adherence to the given theme, as well as Health and Safety and work processes.

The Association of Professional Landscapers is the specialist group within the HTA for landscapers and garden designer members and has an esteemed reputation for quality and landscaping excellence. To learn more about the APL, visit landscaper.org.uk

For more information about WorldSkills UK, a world-class skills network focused on raising standards, championing future skills and empowering young people from all backgrounds, visit worldskillsuk.org.

Construction and Infrastructure: Landscaping

(In partnership with: J A Jones, Landscape Plus, Bradstone, Composite Prime)

Winners

Gold: Archie Matthews from Myerscough College

Silver: Luke Donald from College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)

Bronze: Cameron Gilbert from College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)

Finalists

• Archie Matthews - Myerscough College
• Cameron Gilbert - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)
• David Thomas - Bridgend College
• Johnny Stout - Myerscough College           
• Kieran Ashby - Myerscough College
• Luke Donald - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)
• Rhyslando Logan - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)
• Tiernan Kelly - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)

Foundation Skills: Horticulture

(In partnership with: Pugh’s Garden Village, Cardiff)

WinnersGold: Junior Rozhon from Pembrokeshire College

Silver: Matthew Duncombe from Pembrokeshire College

Bronze: Aimee-Leigh Phillips from Riverside College

Finalists

• Aimee-Leigh Phillips – Riverside College
• Alex Horton – NPTC Group of Colleges
• Celyn Sollis – Pembrokeshire College
• Dylan Jones – NPTC Group of Colleges
• James Armstrong – New College Lanarkshire (NCLAN)
• Junior Rozhon – Pembrokeshire College
• Matthew Duncombe – Pembrokeshire College
• Russell Reeves – Elidyr Communities Trust