Horticulture Apprenticeship

Summary

As an apprentice gardener, you will help maintain the high standards and immaculate aesthetics of the formal gardens at a prestigious wedding venue in the heart of Cheshire. The job will involve the upkeep of fine turf, mixed ornamental borders, hedges, topiary and woodland management.

Wage

£14,560 to £23,132.20, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay will be reviewed after 3 months

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

To be confirmed at interview.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

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

Plant care and maintenance -planting, weeding and pruning to keep them healthy and tidy
Turf management – mowing, edging and feeding lawns to ensure a high-quality finish
Maintaining hedges and topiary
Pest and disease control – identify garden issues and apply appropriate organic treatment
Tool and machinery use and maintenance – operating and maintaining equipment like hedge trimmers, leaf blowers and strimmers safely
Plant identification – studying a wide variety of species to understand their specific growth habits and seasonal needs
Garden design – helping to improve the gardens with new planting schemes
Plant propagation including taking cuttings and seed sowing

Where you'll work

HILLTOP
FLASH LANE
PRESTBURY
MACCLESFIELD
SK10 4ED

Training

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

Training provider

REASEHEATH COLLEGE

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.

Training schedule

Reaseheath College.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English, Maths (grade 4 / C and above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Presentation skills
Creative
Patience
Physical fitness

About this employer

We are a prestigious wedding venue based in Cheshire with large formal gardens surrounding a 17th century house.

https://yourhilltopwedding.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

This career path provides a debt-free route from hands-on maintenance into high-level supervisory roles. After qualifying, you will move from a trainee status to a professional gardener with earning potential and responsibility level increasing significantly. Skilled horticulturists are in demand across diverse roles like heritage conservation, private or public estates or botanical institutions.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

REASEHEATH COLLEGE

Craig Stagg

craig@hilltop-countryhouse.com

07754037600

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000026384.

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

Skills

About this employer

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now

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Horticulture Apprenticeship

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

Skills

About this employer

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now