Horticulture Grounds Maintenance Apprenticeship

Summary

An exciting opportunity has become available for a grounds maintenance apprentice at B.P Garden Maintenance. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual, who is keen to learn new skills and to become a valuable part of a growing business.

Wage

£15,600 a year

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Pay will be reviewed regularly, dependant on knowledge and skills gained.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

37.5hrs, Monday- Friday. Hours to be arranged.

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 March 2026

Duration

2 years 3 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

At B.P Garden Maintenance we always strive to provide the best standard of work to our domestic and commercial clients. Through doing so, it has now allowed us to take on an apprentice who can grow with the company and help us to continue to provide the best service possible.

You will be trained in all aspect of garden maintenance, to include:

Grass cutting
Hedge trimming
Leaf blowing
Border maintenace
Weeding
Planting.
Winter and summer pruning

This would be an ideal opportunity for someone who does not want to be indoors but enjoys being outside in the open air learning practical hands on skills.

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

Jeffreys Yard, Winters Hill, Durley, SO32 2AH
Wintershill, Durley, Southampton, SO32 2AH

Training

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

Training provider

SPARSHOLT 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 majority of practical skills will be learnt in the workplace, alongside this you will attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis during term time to learn about horticulture.

Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
Emergency First Aid
PA1 PA6

Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths must achieve Level 1 and take the test for Level 2 before taking the end-point assessment.

Apprentices will need to achieve the EPA's to achieve their apprenticeship:

Online knowledge assessment - a 60-minute online test containing 40 multiple-choice questions
Practical assessment EPA - a range of 4 practical activities taking no more than six hours undertaken in controlled conditions with responses to verbal questioning from the Independent End Point Assessor. The apprentice will undertake three core tasks and one task from the optional route - Horticulture or Landscaping
Professional Discussion EPA - An hour-long professional discussion under controlled conditions between the EPA and the apprentice to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge

More training information

Day release every Thursday during term time

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

License (grade Full)

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
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Creative
Physical fitness
Good time management
Able to work on own initiative
An aptitude for learning
Reliable with good timekeeping
Health & Safety aware
an interest in horticulture
An interest in outdoor working

Other requirements

This is a physically demanding role with early starts, where you will be required to work outside in all weathers.

There is a bus stop near the yard for those candidates who do not drive.

About this employer

B P Garden Maintenance has over 11 years maintaining gardens to a high standard. The business is now growing and as such we are in a position to train and take on staff, which is an exciting time for us.

Meeting our clients expectations is at the heart of B.P Garden Maintenance.

https://www.facebook.com/B.PGardenMaintenance1/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

A full time poition may be offered upon successful completion of your apprenticeship
You may then progress on to a team leader position

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009628.

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

More training information

Requirements

Essential qualifications

Desirable qualifications

Skills

Other requirements

About this employer

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now

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Horticulture Grounds Maintenance Apprenticeship

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

More training information

Requirements

Essential qualifications

Desirable qualifications

Skills

Other requirements

About this employer

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now