The Royal Parks Horticultural Apprenticeship Scheme - Richmond Park – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

The Royal Parks is a charity since March 2017. We manage 5,000 acres of diverse parkland in 8 Royal Parks in London. We also manage other public spaces. We are among the most visited attractions in the UK with 77 million visits annually. We are strongly committed to creating a diverse & inclusive workplace and are equal opportunities employers.

Wage

£23,795.20 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Wage national minimum wage 21 and over rate regardless of age £ 11.44 per hour

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 7.00am - 4.00pm. Employment start date will be August 2025 onwards.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 2 September 2025

Duration

3 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your horticultural skills whilst working in one of the UK’s most famous parks. These parks are widely recognised as among the best of their kind in the world.

Day to day Park based tasks will include:

Shrub Bed Maintenance
Planting bedding, shrubs and trees
Grass cutting
Bedding maintenance
General gardening
Litter picking
Spraying of chemicals – subject to qualification
Driving – subject to qualification and authorisation
Ad-hoc soft landscaping
Ad-hoc involvement in the events / ceremonies within The Royal Parks
Work as part of a highly skilled team to maintain The Royal Parks landscape

Apprentices will be supported by The Royal Parks Guild and will attend masterclass days and celebration events as part of their apprenticeship.

Course work will be through day release at Capel Manor Regent’s Park campus.

Where you'll work

Oak Lodge
Richmond Park
Richmond
TW10 5HY

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE

Your training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
(Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
(Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
(Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
(Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
(Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
(Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.
(Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).
(Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.
(Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
(Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
(Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
(Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
(Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
(Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.

Your training plan

Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Apprenticeship Standard Level 2 which includes:

Functional skills English and maths Level 1
Emergency First Aid at Work
Level 2 award in the safe use of Pesticides PA1
Pesticide application PA6/PA6W
Level 2 Award in safe use of pedestrian controlled mowers
Level 2 Award in the safe use of ride-on self propelled mowers
RHS level 2 Certificates as appropriate

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (grade 4 or Equivalent or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Initiative
Good Team Worker
Motivated and Enthusiastic
Must be Hard Working
Get on with people
Academically Minded
Good Practical Skills
Horticulture Interest
Full Driving License Preferred

Other requirements

The applying candidate must consider that the role is physically demanding, throughout all variances of weather. Other aspects of the work include early starts and an ability to cope with regular physical work. The role involves working on very high profile sites, with many visitors, so a high level of professionalism is required. Must be willing to work outside in all weathers.

About this company

The Royal Parks is a charity created in March 2017. We manage over 5,000 acres of diverse parkland, rare habitants and historic buildings and monuments in eight Royal Parks across London. These are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green park, St James's Park, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Bushy park. We also manage other important public spaces including Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens. Our eight Royal Parks and other public spaces are among the most visited attractions in the UK with 77 million visits every year. The Royal Parks are strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and are equal opportunities employers. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome all applications. We work to create a workforce that is truly representative of the communities we serve. Successful candidates will be appointed on merit.

http://www.royalparks.org.uk (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Many past Royal Park apprentices are now employed as Park Managers, Supervisors or Contract Managers for the Royal Parks, Contractors or in key local authority posts
At the end of your apprenticeship, you will be ideally placed to continue your career in the horticultural industry either in a 'hands-on' role or by progressing to a management or supervisory post. This could be within open space management, landscape construction or design industries

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The contact for this apprenticeship is: