Apprentice Landscape Operative (Whiting Landscape)
WHITING LANDSCAPE LIMITED
Oxford (OX2 8JP)
Closes in 27 days (Tuesday 17 February 2026)
Posted on 20 January 2026
Contents
Summary
This is a paid and full-time apprenticeship in horticulture where the applicant will gain a level 2 in horticulture.
- Wage
-
£19,760 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
38-hour per week contract (7:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Thursday, 2:30pm finish on a Friday). Some flexibility will be required with hours depending upon season.
38 hours a week
- Start date
-
Friday 20 February 2026
- 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
Job Role:
- To carry out operations as directed by the Maintenance Foreman or any other person responsible for the running of the contract
- To ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Quality and Environmental systems as required by the company
Duties will include, but not limited to:
- Carry out landscape maintenance duties as required including mowing, strimming, pruning, hand weeding, litter picking and watering
- Ensure all times that appropriate PPE is worn as instructed and is in good working order. Ensure that the Foreman is aware of any shortfall in PPE. If no action is taken, then you must report to Contracts Supervisor
- Ensure vehicles and chemical chests are kept locked at all times when not occupied
- Prior to mowing, inspect all sites for hazards and ensure mowers are set at correct levels
- Control of all plant and materials, checking that tools, machinery and vehicles are maintained and cleaned every day
- Carry out operations with total regard for the safety of all operatives and members of the public at all times and to the standard expected by the company
- Liaise with Foreman with regards to H&S and QA matters. All accidents are to be entered into the company accident book by the Contracts Supervisor
- Ensuring on site activities comply with Health & Safety regulations
- Ensure waste is managed and disposed of correctly under direction of Foreman
- To deputise for the Foreman in his absence where required
- Liaise with client or their representative on site in an appropriate manner
- Other duties as required
Where you'll work
Woodstock Road
Wolvercote
Oxford
OX2 8JP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
KEITS TRAINING SERVICES LTD
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
- Full training to be provided by the employer and KEITS at the place of employment
- The applicant will be working towards a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship
- The learner will be allocated an industry specific training consultant who will provide both remote and onsite visits throughout the apprenticeship
- The apprentice will work towards an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship
- You will also need to achieve Level 3 award in Emergency First Aid at Work and Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance or Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides before undertaking the End Point Assessment
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Driving not essential (although preferable as post-apprenticeship there may be the requirement to travel to other sites to perform landscape maintenance).
About this employer
Whiting Landscape Limited (WLL), established in 1977, delivers comprehensive landscape construction and maintenance services across the UK. We specialise in commercial projects, offering tailored solutions from design and installation to aftercare and ecological considerations. With our centrally located head office and nursery near the motorway network in Worcestershire, we ensure nationwide coverage and exceptional service to bring client landscaping vision to life. We offer a range of services including design and build, ecology, hard landscaping, soft landscaping & maintenance.
After this apprenticeship
A permanent role may be available for the right candidate landscape gardener.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
KEITS TRAINING SERVICES LTD
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009444.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Tuesday 17 February 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.