Horticulture Apprentice
Urban Planters
London (W12 7GF)
Closes in 10 days (Tuesday 2 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 19 August 2025
Contents
Summary
Exciting Horticulture Apprenticeship Opportunity at Westfield London! Are you passionate about plants and the outdoors? Do you want to kick-start your career in horticulture with hands-on experience? We’re looking for a motivated Horticulture Apprentice to join our dynamic team, responsible for maintaining the beautiful grounds of Westfield London.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday – Friday.
07:00-15:00 (may vary depending on season).
1 day college.
Overtime Available but not required.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 16 September 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
Carrying out general ground maintenance duties will include.
- Planting
- Watering
- Weeding
- Mulching
- Pruning
- Tidying
You will work in a group of 2-3 depending on the day and your team member will help support you and provide knowledge on how and why you are carrying out certain tasks.
Assist with regular grounds maintenance tasks to keep the site looking its best.
Work closely with experienced professionals and learn the ins and outs of horticulture.
Receive mentorship and training to develop your skills in plant care, landscaping, and grounds management.
This is a unique opportunity to grow your knowledge, enhance your practical skills, and make an impact in an exciting industry. If you’re eager to learn, passionate about the environment, and ready to start your horticultural career with a supportive team, we want to hear from you.
Each week, you will have scheduled tasks to complete on site. You will work alongside a group of 2-3 depending on the day and your team members will help support you and provide knowledge on how and why you are carrying out certain tasks.
Where you'll work
1 The Village Offices, Westfield London Shopping Centre
Ariel Way
London
W12 7GF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CAPEL MANOR 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 one day College learning will take place at Capel Manor College every Tuesday at the Regents Park campus.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
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
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Horticulture Interest
- Enjoys Working Outside
- Hands on Practical Work
- Enthusiastic
- Keen to learn
Other requirements
This work is outside, so it is expected to work through different variations of weather. Physically demanding at times with lifting, carrying and walking across the site on a daily basis. Early starts.
About this employer
Urban Planters design, source, install and maintain indoor and outdoor plants and other plant-related products. We also provide a full landscape design and grounds maintenance service. In short: a total horticultural solution. As an apprentice, you’ll be working alongside our skilled Ground Maintenance Operatives, gaining valuable experience while contributing to the upkeep of one of the UK’s most iconic shopping destinations. You’ll receive ongoing training and support to earn industry-recognized qualifications, helping you build a strong foundation for a successful career in horticulture. Training and Development – Ongoing opportunities for learning and gaining industry qualifications, including support for professional certifications. Career Progression – Clear pathways for growth and advancement within the company. Work-Life Balance – Flexible working hours and a supportive environment to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
https://www.urbanplanters.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Pension Scheme – A company pension plan to help secure your financial future. Employee Discounts – Discounts on plants and products. Wellness Initiatives – Access to health and wellness programs, promoting physical and mental well-being.
After this apprenticeship
Upon completion of your apprenticeship, we offer a range of exciting career opportunities within the company. These include roles across various areas of horticulture, such as installation projects, specialist horticultural positions, as well as supervisory and management roles.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000337897.
Apply now
Closes in 10 days (Tuesday 2 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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