Apprentice Gardener - Worcester College, University of Oxford
WORCESTER COLLEGE - University of Oxford
OXFORD (OX1 2HB)
Closes in 26 days (Sunday 11 January 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 15 December 2025
Contents
Summary
Worcester College is seeking to recruit an Apprentice Gardener to join a small team working under the Head Gardener and Head of Grounds. This position offers the opportunity to learn varied horticultural practices from greenhouse nursery work, plant care and propagation, lawn and border maintenance and grounds maintenance work.
- Wage
-
£24,165 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
40 hours per week and working hours are in keeping with business requirements, mostly Monday to Friday, but occasional weekend duties may be required; shifts to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 2 March 2026
- 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
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the daily care, preparation, maintenance and development of the gardens and grounds, plants and borders, the orchard, ornamental areas and playing fields
- Planting and maintaining bedding, shrubs and trees
- Propagation and greenhouse work
- Undertaking routine grounds maintenance work of playing surfaces and playing field boundaries and borders, paths, hedges, fences, etc, as directed
- Supporting with the design of seasonal displays and containers
- The safe use and operation of equipment and machinery used in grounds maintenance and gardening, as directed
- Maintenance of pathways and other outdoor spaces, including the clearance of litter
- Carrying out other duties, appropriate to the post as required by the Head of Gardens and Grounds from time to time
Where you'll work
WORCESTER COLLEGE
WALTON STREET
OXFORD
OX1 2HB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ABINGDON AND WITNEY 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
Training will take place at Abingdon & Witney College at both the Common Leys Campus (Hailey, near Witney) and also Abingdon Campus. Please ensure that you are able to get to both sites before applying.
Qualifications included:
Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths (if required)
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 Handheld Equipment
Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
A keen interest in gardening and grounds maintenance, must have a passion for plants, and an ability to undertake lifting and physical work.
About this employer
As one of the colleges within the University of Oxford, Worcester is characterised by diversity. We have a vibrant academic community of fellows and lecturers, a lively and varied student body, and a group of dedicated staff, all of whom come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We are situated in the heart of Oxford, with its many attractions and amenities, yet behind the College walls lie 26 acres of beautiful, tranquil gardens, and we are fortunate to be the only College with an on-site sports field. Our buildings range from medieval cottages to our newest architectural project, the Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre, and we can boast a library, chapel and dining hall created by some of Britain’s finest 18th and 19th Century architects. If you would like to find out more about Worcester or contact any College staff, please contact us through the addresses given on the site. We look forward to welcoming you to the College.
http://www.worc.ox.ac.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
The post-holder will be provided with lunch in College (free of charge) when the kitchens are open during term and in vacations. Car parking is available currently though space is not guaranteed. There are also covered bicycle racks.
After this apprenticeship
There may be opportunity for a permanent role after the apprenticeship if a suitable vacancy is available.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005131.
Apply now
Closes in 26 days (Sunday 11 January 2026 at 11:59pm)
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