Gardener Apprentice

TENSOR SYSTEMS LTD

Hail Weston (PE19 5JY)

Closes in 10 days (Sunday 4 October 2026)

Posted on 21 September 2026

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Summary

Are you passionate about plants, enjoy practical work and don’t mind working outdoors in all weathers? Tensor Systems Ltd in St Neots are looking for a Level 2 Horticulture Apprentice to help maintain and manage their landscaped gardens.

• Wage:

  £17,200 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salary (per annum):; Up to 18 years old: £17,200 ; 18-20 years old: £22,000; 21 years and over: £26,000

• Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm (with some Saturdays as overtime) / (30 minute unpaid lunch break).

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 12 October 2026

• Duration:

  2 years 3 months

• 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

Tensor is a British technology company with over 40 years of experience designing and manufacturing innovative solutions for security, workforce management and energy efficiency.

As a garden apprentice, you will work alongside the experienced gardening team at Hail Weston House, which is set within approximately five acres of established gardens in Cambridgeshire. This apprenticeship will provide you with valuable, practical experience across a wide range of horticultural activities while working towards your Level 2 Horticulture qualification.

Initially, you will develop your core horticultural skills and knowledge, spending most of your time working across the main grounds and plant beds. You will learn how to care for a variety of plants and gain an understanding of the day-to-day work required to keep the gardens healthy, well maintained and attractive. You will work alongside experienced gardeners, learning the basic principles of plant care and garden maintenance, as well as developing your understanding of how to use and maintain horticultural tools and equipment safely. You will also spend time working in the greenhouses, gaining experience of growing and caring for plants in a controlled environment. Your duties will include weeding, planting, hedge cutting, maintaining plant beds and assisting with general seasonal garden maintenance.

As you progress, you will develop greater confidence, knowledge and independence and will be given increased responsibility within the gardens. You will have the opportunity to manage designated areas and take responsibility for plant material, allowing you to put the knowledge and practical skills gained during your first year into practice. You will continue to develop your experience within the greenhouses, caring for and maintaining plants while learning more about propagation, cultivation and ongoing plant care.

Your responsibilities will also expand to include grass cutting, lawn maintenance, strimming and the general upkeep of grassed and landscaped areas. You will carry out a variety of seasonal gardening tasks and work both independently and as part of the wider gardening team to ensure the grounds are maintained to a high standard.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will receive guidance and support from experienced gardeners while developing the practical skills, horticultural knowledge and confidence required to pursue a successful career in the horticulture industry.

Where you'll work

Hail Weston House
Hail Weston
PE19 5JY

Training

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

Training provider

BEDFORD 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

• Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Operative - Horticulture Pathway
• Functional Skills in English and maths if required

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• Maths (grade 3)
• English (grade 3)

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

Skills

• Conscientious
• Physical fitness
• Self-motivated
• Use your Initiative

Other requirements

Salary (per annum):
Up to 18 years old: £17,200
18-20 years old: £22,000
21 years and over: £26,000

The role is based at Hail Weston House, where there is limited access to public transport, so applicants will need to be able to travel to and from the workplace independently, with access to a car being essential.

The apprenticeship is a physically demanding role involving regular weeding, planting and general garden maintenance. You will be working outdoors throughout the year and will need to be comfortable working in a range of weather conditions. The role involves periods of hard physical work and requires a good level of fitness and stamina.

Occasional Saturday working will also be required, depending on the needs of the gardens and the season.

Candidates must attend an initial interview with a member of the Bedford College Apprenticeship Recruitment Team, if they meet the initial criteria, as part of the recruitment process. Only candidates who have fully completed the application will be considered. Please be aware that the closing date is subject to change without prior notice.

About this employer

Tensor is a British technology company with over 40 years of experience designing and manufacturing innovative solutions for security, workforce management and energy efficiency.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there will be an opportunity to progress into a professional gardener role within the organisation.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEDFORD COLLEGE

Ramona Stevens

RStevens@bedford.ac.uk

01234 291000

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000054544.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Sunday 4 October 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.