Apprentice Gardener - REF: 5BSE02 – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

Working at our three campuses and under the guidance of our Head of Gardens and Grounds, you will carry out a wide range of duties, including; general garden maintenance, hedge and tree pruning, grass cutting and assisting with the planning and design of new areas.

Wage

£22,932 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 6.00am - 2.00pm.

35 hours a week

Start date

Friday 15 August 2025

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

Undertake all aspects of general garden maintenance and preparation (including propagation, digging, edging, hoeing, pruning, plant labelling etc.)
Planting of new replacement bulbs, flowers, shrubs, hedges etc.
Assist the Head of gardens and Grounds in the design and planting of new areas
Hedge and tree pruning in accordance with TPO regulations.
Lawn maintenance and cultivation to the required standard
Operate machinery (including lawn mowers, ride on mowers, hedgecutters, strimmers etc.) in a safe manner in accordance with the University’s Health & Safety policy
Maintain lawns, plants, trees etc, with the appropriate fertilizers, plant/tree food etc. in a safe manner in accordance with the University Health & Safety policies
Assist with pest, disease and weed control via the application of herbicides, fungicides etc. according to Health and Safety regulations
Assist the clearance of gardens and pathways of leaves
Assist with the maintenance of sports pitches (grass and astro-turf)
Report any risks and Health & Safety issues within the University grounds
Complete the required training modules of the apprenticeship scheme

Where you'll work

LIVERPOOL HOPE
HOPE PARK
TAGGART AVENUE
LIVERPOOL
L16 9JD

Training

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

College or training organisation

MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE

Your 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.

Your training plan

This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Physical fitness

About this company

Liverpool Hope is a liberal arts inspired university with a unique ecumenical Christian foundation, which strives to provide a deep and well-rounded education of the whole person irrespective of faith, age, social class or ethnic origins or physical capacity. We are a real community with beautiful garden campuses which has striven for and, we believe, achieved that balance between research and teaching.

https://www.hope.ac.uk/aboutus/jobopportunities/currentvacancies/apprenticegardener/ (opens in new tab)

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

https://www.hope.ac.uk/aboutus/jobopportunities/currentvacancies/apprenticegardener/

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY

People Services

JOBS@hope.ac.uk

01512913189

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000325370.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Monday 7 July 2025)

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

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Apprentice Gardener - REF: 5BSE02

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