Horticulture Apprentice

Summary

Horticulture Operative Apprentice will learn to create and maintain horticultural spaces. This will include planting and maintenance activities, frequently working outdoors year-round and in all weathers, and at heights when pruning taller plants and hedges.

Wage

£14,566.11 a year

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• 29 days holiday, increasing to 33 days, plus Bank Holidays, with opportunity to purchase more • Extensive family-friendly packages and childcare assistance

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 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

You will work in ODS Group Parks & Open Spaces in keeping with good horticultural practice, with a particular emphasis on quality of work. You will learn to use and maintain a full range of horticultural equipment.

Carry out all aspects of countryside work
Use and maintain a range of land-based equipment including ride-on machinery, strimmer's and hedge cutters
Regularly attend college and complete all apprenticeship course work. Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship, Abingdon & Witney College – Common Leys Farm Campus and Abingdon Campus.
When qualified, drive ODS vehicles in accordance to the ODS Drivers Handbook
Work safely at all times, leave workplaces clean and tidy to maintain high standards
Work well with colleague and proactively complete all work to a satisfactory standard
Assist in completing work sheets/recording work as required
Communicate clearly to colleagues and supervisors at all times
Undertake any other appropriate duties required by the management team

Maintain the ODS reputation for great customer service through actions and conduct.

Where you'll work

Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park
Oxford
OX2 8NP

Training

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

College or training organisation

ABINGDON AND WITNEY 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

Duration:
• 15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment

Delivery model:
• Work-based training with your employer
• Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
• 14 days college attendance to complete Horticulture Principles and Practice course
• 1 day college attendance to complete Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid course
• 2 days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA1 Pesticides course (theory)
• 2 days college attendance to complete L2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
• Level 1 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
• Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work

Qualifications included:

• Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths
• Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid
• Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides
• Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment
• Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship End Point Assessment:
• Knowledge test
• Practical assessment
• Professional discussion

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade Grade C/4 or above)
Maths (grade Grade C/4 or above)

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

Communication skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Keen to learn
develop skills
undertake physical work
utilise tools
Strong team-work ethos

Other requirements

Working outside in all weathers. Travel around city. Using machines and heavy tools.

About this company

At ODS, we take pride in our role in making Oxford a world-class city. From waste collection to maintaining roads and parks, our team works tirelessly to ensure the city remains vibrant and beautiful. It's tough work, but it's incredibly rewarding. Joining ODS means joining a team of dedicated professionals who care deeply about their work and their community. Our employees are the backbone of our success, and we value their commitment and passion.

https://www.odsgroup.co.uk/about-ods (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• A secure and flexible pension scheme • Personal and professional counselling • Retail discounts • Heavily discounted gym memberships • Travel loans and travel discount schemes • Cycle to work scheme.

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

Gardener
Snr Gardener
Team Leader
Manager

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