Apprentice Gardener
TOPIARUS HORTICULTURE LTD
Chipping Norton (OX7 5XL)
Closes in 23 days (Friday 12 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 19 May 2026
Contents
Summary
An excellent opportunity has arisen for a passionate and enthusiastic person to undertake a horticulture apprenticeship with Topiarus Horticulture Ltd, based in Chipping Norton.
This will give you an exciting opportunity to get a thorough grounding in horticulture and prepare you for a career in gardening.
- Wage
-
£18,500 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday meet time 7:25am to approx. 4-4:30pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 3 August 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 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
Core tasks associated with this role include, but are not limited to:
- Garden Maintenance
- Weeding
- Pruning
- Hedge Trimming
- Soil & Border Preparation
- Planting – Trees, shrubs & Perennials
- Assist in soft landscaping projects
- Lawn Maintenance
Where you'll work
15E Elmsfield Industrial Estate, Worcester Road
Chipping Norton
OX7 5XL
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
Delivery model:
• Work-based training with your employer
• Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
• Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being
• 20 days of college attendance to complete the Horticulture Principles and Practice course
• 1 day of college attendance to complete the Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid course
• 2 days of college attendance to complete Level 2 PA1 Pesticides course (theory)
• 2 days of college attendance to complete L2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
• Level 1 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
• Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 557 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship
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 Hand Held Equipment
• Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship
End Point Assessment:
• Knowledge test
• Practical assessment
• Professional discussion
More training information
Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early.
Apprenticeship Onboarding Session and Eligibility Checks:
Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon & Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete some eligibility checks. This will consist of a series of initial assessments and an interview with the team. There will be the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and to ask any questions you might have. You may also be required to attend an Apprenticeship Onboarding Session at Witney, Abingdon or Bicester campus.
This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions.
As a new apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session, please call us on 01235 216216.
Qualification checks:
By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £8.00 per hour from April 2026. This applies to 16 - 18-year-old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training.
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
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
The role is based outside so the successful candidate will need to be comfortable working in all weathers.
The successful candidate is likely to need a car to be able to make it to work in the morning and to be able to get to the college campuses for practical and theory work.
About this employer
Topiarus Horticulture Ltd has spent the last 22 years caring for and maintaining beautiful gardens across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. We pride ourselves on the high standard of our work and on the high satisfaction levels of our clients.
After this apprenticeship
It is anticipated that, when you successfully complete your apprenticeship, you will be promoted to a full-time role with the company, with the potential to move up to senior roles in the future.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Mike
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235216216
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031723.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Friday 12 June 2026 at 11:59pm)