Apprentice Gardener - University of Oxford Estates Services - University Parks

University of Oxford

Oxford (OX1 3RF)

Closes in 21 days (Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 24 April 2026

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Summary

If you have a passion for plants, then working for the Parks team is definitely for you. The Parks has a strong horticultural history with a team of skilled and experienced gardeners, horticulturists and tree specialists who work hard to deliver timely and effective services to the University, Colleges and private customers.  

• Wage:

  £26,686 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  All apprentices at the University of Oxford start on £26,686 p.a. Grade 1A

• Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
• Hours: Please note, this is an 18 month apprenticeship within a 2 year fixed term contract. Monday - Friday / regular daytime hours to be agreed.

  36 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Monday 17 August 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 6 months

• Positions available:

  3

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

As an Apprentice Gardener you will gain hands-on experience in a variety of horticultural activities as well as receiving formal college based training to industry standards.

You will learn to carry out all forms of garden maintenance, grass and turf care, plant propagation, hard and soft landscaping. The department holds an extensive plant collection, which you will have the opportunity to work with. There is an extensive range of horticultural equipment that you will be taught to use in the course of the apprenticeship. 
 
We take pride in what we do and work on a wide range of sites, some of which are the most idyllic in Oxford and are appreciated and admired by many.  
 
The Apprentice Gardener position is the gateway to a successful and rewarding career in professional horticulture. 

Responsibilities: 

During the course of the Apprenticeship you will learn the following aspects of horticulture: 

• Grounds maintenance – under supervision you will learn mechanical weed control, border maintenance, cultivations, sweeping, litter collecting and hedge trimming, basic site clearance
• Supervised by experienced colleagues you will learn use of power equipment for mowing to include cylinder, rotary and flail mowers both ride on and pedestrian, and cultivators and power hand tools
• Identification of a broad range of plants, your knowledge will increase over the course of the apprenticeship 

As you become more experienced you will: 

• Learn more detailed border maintenance, pruning, staking, and hedge maintenance
• Develop your knowledge of grass maintenance to include scarification, topdressing and over seeding, aeration, turf laying and lifting, selective weed-killing and moss control, as well as developing knowledge and skills around landscape work, general weed-killing and nursery work

The University Parks team has care of the University Parks and all the University’s green functional estate. This includes the open spaces around all University departmental buildings. University Parks also runs a substantial contract business that accounts for at least half of all activity. 

Where you'll work

Tentorium
South Lodge
South Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3RF

Training

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

Training provider

ABINGDON AND WITNEY 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

Duration:

15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment

Delivery model:

• Work-based training with your employer
• Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
• 14 days college attendance to complete Horticulture Principles and Practice course
• 1 day college attendance to complete Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid course
• 2 days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA1 Pesticides course (theory)
• 2 days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
• Level 1 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
• Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work

Qualifications included:

• Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths
• Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid
• Level 2 PA1/PA6 Pesticides
• Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship

End Point Assessment:

• Knowledge test
• Practical assessment
• Professional discussion

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4/C)
• Maths (grade 4/C)

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
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience
• Physical fitness
• Strong interest in gardening
• Willingness to learn
• Interest in plant growth

Other requirements

BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD JOBS PAGE AND READ THE FULL ADVERT AND ACCOMPANYING JOB DESCRIPTION AS THIS PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ROLE - JOB REFERENCE 185157. Training is delivered at Abingdon & Witney College Common Leys Farm Campus in Hailey, Near Witney and also during alternate weeks at Abingdon Campus. Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork. As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments, please call us on 01235 216216. Qualification checks: By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.

About this employer

We are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with around 17,000 staff working in and around Oxford in a huge range of roles. Our apprentices are never on their own and will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team. You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the university. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region. We will provide you with a welcoming and inclusive workplace, offering support and development opportunities that will enable you to progress and do your best work. We recognise diversity as our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, and we aspire to build a truly diverse community, which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.

https://www.apprenticeships.ox.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

You'll enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts and professional development opportunities. Free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums.

After this apprenticeship

• Our apprentices are never on their own and you will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team
• You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the university. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region
• Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their Apprenticeship and that is just the start of their career

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Jane Phipps

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235216216

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028097.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm)