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Horticulture Apprentice Gardener THE BENYON TRUST

An exciting opportunity has become available for an apprentice gardener at Englefield Estate. The 9-acre garden consists of a formal ornamental area, woodland, stream area, wildflower meadow and a kitchen garden. Your duties will include weeding, pruning, edging etc.

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Closing date: 14 Feb 2023

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £11,440.00

  • Working week

    Monday to Friday 7.30am - 4.30pm

    Total hours per week: 40

  • Expected duration

    27 Months

  • Possible start date

    17 Apr 2023

  • Date posted

    25 Nov 2022

  • Apprenticeship level

    Intermediate
    Level 2 (GCSE)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000110715

  • Positions

    1 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

The apprentice will report to the Head Gardener and support her and the team in developing and maintaining the gardens. You will be trained in all aspects of gardening, to include:

Weekly Tasks:

  • Weeding
  • Pruning
  • Edging
  • Strimming 
  • Grass mowing

Additionally, there will be planting of bulbs, annuals, perennials, shrubs and their subsequent care such as pruning, and deadheading. 

Seasonal tasks will include leaf collecting, hedge cutting and lawn care. 

Tasks in the kitchen garden will include fruit tree pruning and training as well as preparation of the four rotation vegetable beds. 

The apprentice will also be trained in the use of a wide range of handheld machinery plus pedestrian mowers.

The grounds are open to the public once a week and also host various events, from filming to wedding receptions and as a team we are responsible for ensuring the grounds are kept in good order before and afterwards.

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

You will attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis during term time.

Training to be provided:

Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2
Emergency First Aid
PA1 PA6
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths much achieve Level 1 and take the test for Level 2 before taking the end-point assessment
Apprentices will need to achieve the EPA's to achieve their apprenticeship:

On-line knowledge assessment - a 60-minute online test containing 40 multiple choice questions.

Practical assessment EPA - a range of 3 practical activities taking no more than six hours undertaken in controlled conditions with responses to verbal questioning from the Independent End Point Assessor. 

The apprentice will undertake two tasks from the core tasks and one task from the optional route

  • Horticulture or Landscaping
  • Professional Discussion EPA - An hour-long professional discussion under controlled conditions between the EPA and the apprentice to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge

You will be required to attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis to learn about horticulture, to include:

  • Health & Safety
  • Use and maintain non-powered and handheld powered equipment
  • Use and maintain pedestrian controlled equipment
  • Environment protection
  • Plant identification and nomenclature - Latin and common
  • Vegetation control
  • Soil science and cultivation
  • Plant establish & maintenance
  • Plant grown
  • Plant health
  • Establish & maintain amenity areas
  • Survey and mark out sites for landscaping features
  • Construct hard landscape features
  • Maintain hard landscape features

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

You will be trained to a high standard which will enable you to progress further within the industry.

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, Attention to detail, Organisation skills, Customer care skills, Team working, Initiative, Physical fitness, Can do attitude, Takes pride in their work

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade 4 or above) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade 4or above) Essential

Things to consider

The estate is a 25-minute walk away from Theale Train Station. You can get off the bus at a bus stop in Deadman's Lane which is almost opposite the lodge gates leading into the estate.

About the employer

We are a long established, family-owned business based in West Berkshire managing a diverse range of land and property interests, in both rural and urban areas. We take pride in our heritage, including the contribution we make to the local economy, the environment and local communities. We remain forward looking too, as we continue to invest for the long-term, with each of the Estates we manage providing a range of homes, workspaces and places for recreation, together with opportunities for sustainable development.

Employer

THE BENYON TRUST

Address

ENGLEFIELD ROAD

THEALE

READING

RG7 5DU

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Training

Training provider

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

Contact

Karen Jackson

karen.jackson@sparsholtservices.ac.uk

01962 797452

Apprenticeship standard

Horticulture or landscape construction operative

Level 2 (GCSE)

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