Apprentice Gardener (Trinity College)

Summary

This is an exciting apprentice gardener opportunity within the beautiful grounds of Trinity college, Cambridge.

Wage

£24,880 a year

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Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

To be discussed at interview.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 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

This is an exciting Apprentice Gardener opportunity. The Apprentice Gardener helps maintain the Gardens to the highest possible standards with tasks set out by the management team, and achieve this in a safe, environmentally sustainable and competent manner.

Key Accountabilities

Maintain a high standard of lawns within the College by using appropriate machinery within safety guidelines.
Apply horticultural products, including fertilisers, in a safe and competent manner, to achieve good plant and soil health and support long-term biodiversity.
Assist with the maintenance of borders, trees, hedges, containers and pots, lawns, topiary, tools and machinery, often working at height from ladders and steps, doing so in a safe manner.
Undertake general maintenance of gardens including the tasks of mowing, pruning, digging, planting, strimming, irrigation, leafing, mulching and maintenance of paths, using appropriate machinery as directed, ensuring all duties are carried out safely and to a high standard.
Highlight any garden related issues and problems within the gardens to the relevant person.
All staff must adopt a responsible attitude towards health and safety and be prepared to undertake any training provided in relation to health and safety or which is identified as necessary in relation to their work.

The work includes all aspects of gardening and the job holder will be working outdoors in all weathers, undertaking physically demanding tasks, as well as fine detailed and repetitive maintenance work.

The College reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the duties and requirements in the job description, which may be necessary to meet the changing needs of the role or to reflect the latest technology or best practice.

Where you'll work

TRINITY STREET
CAMBRIDGE
CB2 1TQ

Training

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

College or training organisation

KEITS TRAINING SERVICES LTD

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

This post is part of an intercollegiate apprenticeship scheme of up to two years. Full training will be provided by the College and a training provider, who is an industry specific training consultant.
They will provide remote and onsite visits throughout the apprenticeship. The apprentice will join other apprentices from a small number of Colleges.
The apprentice will work towards a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship. There will be an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of apprenticeship.
Before undertaking the EPA you will need to achieve a Level 3 in Emergency First Aid at Work and Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance or Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English and maths (grade Grade C/4)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Patience
Physical fitness
Basic plant and gardening

Other requirements

To apply for this role, please follow the link to Trinity College website. Closing date for completed applications is Monday 21st July 2025. Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than the listed closing date should the need arise. Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 1st August 2025. If you wish to apply but will be on holiday on 1st August, please note this in your application.

About this company

The role will involve work in a wide range of garden styles from formal fine lawns to herbaceous borders, woodland areas to riverside parkland and wall shrubs and climbers to nursery work. The post holder will work with the experienced team to develop the basic professional horticultural skills, uniquely centred around College Gardens, which are required to ensure maintenance of all garden areas is carried out the highest possible standards. The successful candidate must have an energy and interest for working outdoors and in all weathers.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the level 2, you would be eligible for a level 3.
Gardener roles.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

KEITS TRAINING SERVICES LTD

Heidi Clear and Bethany Wylie

recruit@keits.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000327544.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Monday 21 July 2025)

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