Apprentice Landscape Operative
ANTHONY G WHARTON LTD
DURHAM (DH7 9PT)
Closes in 8 days (Friday 13 February 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 29 January 2026
Contents
Summary
This landscaping apprenticeship gives you the chance to learn on the job, gain industry skills, and achieve a recognised qualification while earning a wage. You’ll work outdoors on a variety of projects and learn from experienced landscapers every day. Perfect for someone motivated, practical, and keen to start a career in landscaping.
- Wage
-
£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday 7am - 4pm, Friday 7am - 3pm
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 6 April 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
- Loading/unloading vehicles at the start & end of the working day
- Completing vehicle inspections before using vehicle, reporting any defects immediately
- Excavation works both by hand and with machinery
- Tree and shrub clearance
- Spreading of 20T loads of topsoil (sometimes by barrow) when unable to use dumper
- Laying of flag paving/block paving etc and all associated works
- Cultivating gardens with the use of a rotovator
- Raking out and levelling gardens/open spaces prior to turfing
- Stone picking up to 50mm
- Turfing gardens/open spaces
- Spreading various grass seed
- Tree/shrub/hedge planting
- Spreading of bark by hand
- Spraying of herbicide using a knapsack
- Removal of both timber and metal fencing and all associated works
- Erection of various timber and metal fencing including the digging of fence post
- Installation of safety surfaces including all preparation works
- Installation of play equipment/street furniture and all associated works
- Grass cutting
- Hedge cutting
- And any other associated works
Where you'll work
ESH WINNING INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
ESH WINNING
DURHAM
DH7 9PT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
EAST DURHAM 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
Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2.
The apprentice will work 4 x days per week on site and attend Houghall Campus 1 x day a week on day release.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3 or above)
- Maths (grade 3 or above)
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
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
About this employer
Founded in 1975, by George Wharton, Wharton Landscapes has grown into one of the leading landscaping contractors throughout the North and has worked on many remarkable projects alongside major clients. As a Durham based landscaping contractor we work predominantly throughout the North-East and on occasion nationwide. We specialise in commercial and public sector projects
After this apprenticeship
Potential full-time employment with organisation on completion of apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
EAST DURHAM COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011451.
Apply now
Closes in 8 days (Friday 13 February 2026 at 11:59pm)