Horticulture Apprentice
Highclere Castle
NEWBURY (RG20 9RN)
Closes in 31 days (Monday 23 February 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 21 January 2026
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity has become available for a Horticulture Apprentice to join Hichclee Castle's gardening team. Highclere Castle is set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland designed by ‘Capability’ Brown and also several acres of managed beds, borders and woodland.
- Wage
-
£16,640 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday- Friday 8am- 4pm, these hours will include a day release to Sparsholt College during term time.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Friday 6 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
Hichclere Castle is one of England's most recognisable Castles. Today, the parkland and gardens are open for tours and events throughout the year, with visitors welcome to explore the original Monk's Garden, Secret Garden, White Border, Wood of Goodwill, Rose Arbour and the Wild Flower Meadow. Applicants should be aware that much of the work will be around the visiting public so a polite and professional demeanor is a must.
The successful candidtae will be trained in:
- Use of Hedge cutters
- Pedestian mowers
- Ride on mowers
They will be required to assist in:
- Maintenance of lawns
- Borders and woodland
- Planting annual displays
- Pruning
- Weeding
- Winter mulching
The apprentice will also be able to expand their plant knowledge working in the historic greenhouses, which are used for growing new plants from seed or plug for bedding and indoors displays as well as the growing of fruit and vegetables for the house. The oldest recorded gardens at Highclere Castle were developed in the 13th Century so this is an ideal opportunity for someone to learn the unique challenges of maintaining and developing gardens within a historic setting.
Where you'll work
HIGHCLERE CASTLE
HIGHCLERE PARK
HIGHCLERE
NEWBURY
RG20 9RN
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 taught by the employer in the workplace
- You will attend Sparsholt College every Thursday on a day release basis during term time where you will gain horticulture knowledge such as plant and soil science
More training information
- 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:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Honest and trustworthy
- Willing to learn
- Keen interest in horticulture
- Polite
- Willing to work in all weather
Other requirements
This is a physically demanding role where you are required to work outdoors in all weathers.
Please also note that the castle gardens are in a relatively remote location with no direct public transport routes, so a driving license would be an advantage.
About this employer
As well as being one of England's most recognisable castles, Highclere Castle is set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland designed by ‘Capability’ Brown and also several acres of managed beds, borders and woodland. The Carnarvon family has lived at Highclere since 1679 but the oldest recorded gardens were developed in the 13th century so this is an ideal opportunity for someone to learn the unique challenges of maintaining and developing gardens within a historic setting.
After this apprenticeship
- You may be offered a full time position upon succesful completion of the apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009941.
Apply now
Closes in 31 days (Monday 23 February 2026 at 11:59pm)