Crop Technician Apprentice
DARBY NURSERY STOCK LTD
NORFOLK, Thetford
Closes in 19 days (Monday 29 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 9 June 2026
Contents
Summary
We are an established family-run nursery producing high-quality container-grown plants for the garden centre market. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Crop Technician Apprentice to join our team and develop practical skills within commercial horticulture.
- Wage
-
£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Crop technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Wednesday – 7:30am to 4pm.
Thursday and Friday – 8am to 4pm.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 20 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 support all stages of plant production, helping to maintain high plant quality and maximise crop performance. Duties will include:
- Potting
- Spacing
- Propagation
- Watering
- Feeding
- Pruning
- Crop maintenance
- Preparing plants for dispatch
- Assist with irrigation systems
- Monitor plant health
- Help maintain clean, safe, and organised working areas
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- OLD FELTWELL ROAD, METHWOLD, THETFORD, NORFOLK, IP26 4PW
- Broad Fen Farm, Severalls Road, Methwold Hythe, Thetford, IP26 4QU
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
Crop technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
- Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
- Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
- Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
- Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
- Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
- Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
- Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
- Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
- Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
- Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
- Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
- Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
- Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
- Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
- Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
- Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
- Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based)
- Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based)
- Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based)
- Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based)
- Optimise growth conditions for crops, based on the specific needs of the plant relative to the environment. (Container based)
- Maintain productive and non-productive areas. (Container based)
- Plan for and carry out the removal of waste materials following harvest or dispatch. (Container based)
- Evaluate and select different growing mediums taking into account site conditions and production requirements. (Container based)
- Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
- Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
- Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
- Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
- Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
- Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
- Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
- Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
- Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
- Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
- Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
- Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
- Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
- Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
- Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
- Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
- Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
Training schedule
- Crop Technician Standard
- English and Maths (if required) Level 2
- Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides
- Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
- Level 2 Award in Safe Application of Pesticides using Self-propelled, Mounted or Trailed Horizontal Boom Sprayers
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English or Equivalent (grade Grade 9-4/A-C)
- Maths or Equivalent (grade Grade 9-4/A-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
- Organisation skills
- Presentation skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Self Motivated
- Awareness of safety
Other requirements
Ability to get to the nursery. Ideally, the candidate will have their own transport.
About this employer
For over six decades, we’ve been supplying UK garden centres with British-grown premium plants that look magnificent on shelves from day one. We offer a comprehensive range across six main product categories – Shrubs, Perennials, Clematis, Climbers, Trees and Soft Fruit – all grown slowly and ‘tough’ at our all-weather sites in Norfolk to ensure they are unforced and hardy. Focusing on varieties that we know will both sell well in garden centres and perform well in UK gardens, there is plenty to catch every customer’s eye, from old favourites and A-Z staples, to the more unusual and exciting new introductions.
After this apprenticeship
On completion of this Apprenticeship, Crop Technicians will have the opportunity to progress within the industry or potential full-time position at the nursery.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
Cat Townsend
apprenticeshipapplication@suffolk.ac.uk
01473 382600
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035365.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Monday 29 June 2026 at 11:59pm)