Horticulture Apprentice
WEST SWINDON PARISH COUNCIL
SWINDON (SN5 7YT)
Closes in 7 days (Friday 12 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 4 September 2025
Contents
Summary
Are you physically fit & enjoy working outdoors? We need someone who is reliable, motivated & keen to be a member of our hard working, friendly team You will be able to be physically active throughout the working day and happy to be working outdoors in all weather. You will be aged 18 years or over and have a clean full driving license.
- Wage
-
£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
1st Year of apprenticeship - National Minimum Wage for apprentices After 1st year - National minimum wage or above
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 7.30am - 4.00pm and Friday, 7.30 - 12.30pm.
Possible occasional weekend work.
15 minute paid morning break.
30 minute unpaid lunch break.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 October 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
- Mowing
- Hedge Cutting
- Planting
Where you'll work
UNIT 25
WESTMEAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
WESTMEAD
SWINDON
SN5 7YT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WILTSHIRE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE
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
Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative
Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:
- Day Release to Wiltshire College in Chippenham - 1 day a week - Term time only. You must to be to get to the College
- On the job training within West Swindon Parish Council area
- Possible other work places
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Level 2)
- Math (grade Level 2)
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
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Good keyboard skills
Other requirements
You will be aged 18 years or over and have a clean full driving licence. Be able to be physically active throughout the working day and happy to be working outdoors in all weather. Include a handwritten letter saying why you are applying for the position and what makes you a great choice. Please include at least two independent work or education based referees who will be contactable before you are appointed.
About this employer
We are a Parish Council that delivers the following services: Grass cutting, Shrub & hedge maintenance, Low level tree work, Inspection and maintenance of play areas, Litter picking, Bin emptying, Graffiti removal.
https://www.westswindon-pc.gov.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Use of a wide range of tools. 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays. On site parking. Clothing and required equipment supplied.
After this apprenticeship
- On successful completion of your apprenticeship, you should have the opportunity to join the Parish Team as a full time member of staff
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEST SWINDON PARISH COUNCIL
Jacqui Jones
office@westswindon-pc.gov.uk
01793299399
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000340363.
Apply now
Closes in 7 days (Friday 12 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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