Apprentice Garden Operative

WELLINGTON SCHOOL 1837

WELLINGTON (TA21 8NT)

Closes in 15 days (Friday 4 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 19 June 2025

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Summary

Start your career in horticulture as an Apprentice Gardens Operative. Working alongside an experienced team, you'll help maintain the school's grounds to a high standard, gaining hands-on experience and professional skills in a supportive and safety-conscious environment. A brilliant first step into the industry!

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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The post would be full time, all-year round. The role also comes with 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (to be taken during the school holidays.

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 4.30pm, with half an hour for lunch. With weekend working on a rota-basis during term-time.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 22 September 2025

Duration

2 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

  • Carry out general gardening and grounds maintenance, including weeding, borders, hedge cutting and leaf clearance
  • Operate ride-on and pedestrian lawnmowers
  • Use chemicals and carry out spraying (once qualified)
  • Conduct regular checks on tools and machinery
  • Hedge cutting, strimming and sweeping
  • Mow and maintain lawns
  • Drive and operate the tractor
  • Grow plants from seed to restock school borders
  • Plant and maintain flowerbeds and shrubberies
  • Assist with garden landscaping when required
  • Clear leaves from drains as necessary
  • Adhere to school and legal health and safety procedures
  • Undertake training and use machinery and vehicles safely
  • Wear suitable protective clothing for all tasks
  • Train in the safe use of herbicides and fertilisers
  • Lift and handle equipment/materials safely

Where you'll work

WELLINGTON SCHOOL
SOUTH STREET
WELLINGTON
TA21 8NT

Training

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

College or training organisation

BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON 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

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

  • Horticulture or landscape construction operative
  • Equal to Level 2 (GCSE)

Your training plan

Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard - Horticulture and Landscape Operative:

  • Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides
  • Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
  • Level 1 Functional Skills in English & Maths (if required, exemptions apply)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4 and above)
  • Maths (grade C/4 and 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
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness
  • Ability to embrace change
  • Positive outlook

About this company

Nestled under a big Somerset sky is a school a world away from the ordinary; a place of purpose and possibility where children are flourishing. It is a family where individuals are known, diversity is celebrated, and audacious dreams are born. It is a place where the world’s complexity and unpredictability are viewed as opportunity; where young people are not just prepared for their futures but are enabled to co-create them. It is an unpretentious community with a sense of fun, where children are inspired to collaborate, imagine and pioneer: because we believe they can lead with purpose and have impact now, not just when they leave the Sixth form. This is a magical place. This is Wellington.

https://www.wellington-school.org.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Fees Remission Free lunches during term time On-site parking Use of sports facilities (where available)

After this apprenticeship

Opportunity to secure full time employment as a horticulture and landscape operative and to further develop your skills by progressing onto the Level 3 Landscape/Horticulture supervisor Apprenticeship should a suitable role become available.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000324860.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 4 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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