Landscape Apprentice

ROBINSON ARNOLD LIMITED

BURY ST EDMUNDS (IP29 5DB)

Closes in 26 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 3 June 2026

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Summary

We are looking for a keen and enthusiastic apprentice who, in time and after a lot of hard work and training, will be able to carry out all aspects of hard and soft landscaping, maintenance and fencing works. There will also be the potential for gaining experience with our tree surgery team.

• Wage:

  £17,472 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 07:00 - 16:15 starting and finishing at our yard. We have two 30 minute breaks during the day, with one at 10:00 and the other at 13:00.

  42 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 14 July 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

The successful candidate will work in a small, dedicated team and under the supervision of experienced landscapers. Initially the successful candidate will be expected to do basic tasks, but with time and further training, the skill level of the tasks they are expected to carry out will increase.

The type of work we carry out includes, but is not limited to:

• Tree and shrub planting
• Instant hedge installation
• Turfing and seeding (using specialist equipment where
  required)
• Installation of driveways and paving
• Installation of fencing and gates
• Domestic and commercial landscape maintenance including grass cutting, hedge cutting, pruning, weeding, litter picking, watering
• Tree felling, reduction and pruning

Where you'll work

4-5 NEW BARN
BARROW
BURY ST EDMUNDS
IP29 5DB

Training

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

Training provider

SUFFOLK NEW 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

• Horticulture/Landscape Operative Standard
• English and Maths (if required) Level 2
• Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
• Safe Use of Abrasive Wheel Machines Level 2

More training information

• Starting with carrying out basic of tasks under the supervision of experienced team members, the successful candidate will gradually pick up a wide range of skills, mainly taught on the ground
• As time goes on, and with constant on the job training, the skill level will be built upon and increased gradually over the course of the apprenticeship

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English or Equivalent (grade Grade C/4)
• Maths or Equivalent (grade Grade C/4)

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
• Presentation skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Physical fitness
• Time keeping
• Reliable
• Follow instructions
• Hard working

Other requirements

• At times, and especially during the early days, the work being carried out will be basic, sometimes dirty and in the various extremes of weather that the different seasons bring, a successful candidate would be happy with this
• Driving licence would be desirable for the successful candidate

About this employer

Robinson Arnold Limited is a well established and respected landscape contractor, based just outside Bury St Edmunds. We carry out all aspects of landscape works for both commercial and domestic clients. We are only a small business with 7 employees currently. We pride ourselves on carrying out a high standard of work in a safe and efficient manner. As we do not have too many members of staff but do have a very good reputation, we are able to be quite selective about the work we do. This means we are fortunate to be involved with some very interesting schemes.

https://www.robinsonarnold.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

• Apprentices successfully completing have the opportunities to progress within the industry by continuing onto the Advanced Apprenticeship in Horticulture or other Further Education courses
• To become a skilled, knowledgeable and experienced landscaper who is able to carry out all aspects of hard and soft landscape works. In the future, we would like to have trained somebody to the point where they could either stay within our business and be a big asset to us, or to start their own successful business within the industry using the knowledge we have passed on to them
• We would consider either outcome a success

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE

Catherine Townsend

apprenticeshipapplication@suffolk.ac.uk

01473 382600

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034852.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 11:59pm)