Apprentice Gardener

ASTON VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED

Tamworth (B78 2BB)

Closes in 9 days (Friday 6 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 October 2026

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Summary

Train in horticulture and grounds maintenance at Aston Villa Football Club. Gain hands-on experience, learn from experienced staff, and build skills across landscaped areas and lawns in a professional environment. Complete recognised apprenticeship training while developing the practical skills needed for a career in horticulture.

Wage

£24,479 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 3.30pm. Flexibility is required, as start and finish times may vary depending on operational needs and weather conditions, particularly during the summer and periods of hot weather. May need to work evenings and weekends

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 November 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

  • Prepare and maintain landscaped areas and lawns to a high standard
  • Carry out grass cutting, lawn care, pruning, weeding and leaf removal
  • Plant and care for trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants
  • Support re-turfing, soft landscaping and propagation work
  • Assist with soil preparation, mulching, watering and seasonal planting tasks
  • Help identify and maintain plant health through routine care and monitoring
  • Use hand tools and light machinery safely and effectively
  • Support the safe use, cleaning and basic maintenance of tools and equipment
  • Store tools and equipment safely and keep them in good working order
  • Carry out horticultural work in surrounding car park areas when required
  • Follow health and safety procedures at all times, including the safe use of machinery, equipment and protective clothing
  • Complete required record keeping and follow internal procedures
  • Develop knowledge of horticultural practices, grounds maintenance and industry standards as part of the apprenticeship
  • Work with the gardening team on tasks across Club sites as needed

Where you'll work

Bodymoor Heath Training Ground
Bodymoor Heath Lane, Middleton
Tamworth
B78 2BB

Training

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

Training provider

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN 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

The successful applicant will work towards the Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship Standard.

As part of the apprenticeship, they will also complete the following:

  • Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
  • LANTRA Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides
  • LANTRA Level 2 Award in Safe Application of Pesticides Using Hand-Held Equipment
  • Functional Skills in English and maths, if required
  • The apprentice will be required to attend Sutton Coldfield College (B74 2NW) one day per week on day release as part of the apprenticeship programme. This will support the completion of their 20% off-the-job training requirement.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • English (grade 4/C or above)
  • Maths (grade 4/C or 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
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness
  • Proactive
  • Enthusiastic
  • Passionate about horticulture
  • Willing to learn

Other requirements

  • This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
  • The successful applicant will need to be willing to work outdoors in most weather conditions and travel between Club sites, including Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, Villa Park and Brookvale.
  • Flexibility is required, as the role may involve occasional evenings, weekends, and changes to working hours depending on operational needs and weather conditions.
  • A full UK driving licence is essential.

About this employer

Aston Villa Football Club is one of the most historic and well-known football clubs in England, competing at the highest level of the game. The Club offers a unique and exciting working environment, where high standards, teamwork and pride in the workplace are at the heart of everything it does.

As an apprentice gardener, you will be part of the team helping to maintain the Club’s professional training ground and wider estate to an excellent standard. This is a great opportunity to start your career in horticulture while gaining hands-on experience in a prestigious sporting environment.

Aston Villa Football Club is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive workplace and is dedicated to safeguarding children and adults at risk.

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

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

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

Successful completion of this apprenticeship could lead to a permanent role within grounds maintenance, landscaping or horticulture, depending on business needs and performance. It will also provide a strong foundation for further training and development within the horticulture and estates sector.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

BMet Recruitment Team

recruitment@bmet.ac.uk

0121 362 1122

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000059872.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Friday 6 November 2026 at 11:59pm)