Apprentice Gardener

ROSALIND & DAVID CLEEVELY

Craven Arms (SY7 9ER)

Closes on Sunday 23 August 2026

Posted on 17 July 2026

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Contents

Summary

Begin your horticultural career at Aston Hall, a private family estate in South Shropshire. Working alongside an experienced estate team, you'll gain practical skills in garden maintenance, planting, propagation and estate horticulture while studying towards a nationally recognised Level 2 Horticulture apprenticeship.

Wage

£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
TBC Monday: 9:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm Wednesday: College/off-the-job training or 9:00am - 5:00pm as agreed with the training provider Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

Working alongside experienced gardeners and estate staff, you will develop practical horticultural skills across a varied private estate.

Duties will include:

  • Maintaining lawns, borders, beds and planted areas
  • Seasonal planting, pruning, weeding and mulching
  • Plant identification, propagation and cultivation
  • Vegetable growing and greenhouse work where appropriate
  • Assisting with irrigation, composting and general plant care
  • Supporting new planting schemes and garden development projects
  • Using and maintaining horticultural tools and equipment safely
  • Helping maintain the wider estate grounds to a high standard
  • Working safely and contributing positively as part of the estate team

Where you'll work

Aston Hall
Aston Munslow
Craven Arms
SY7 9ER

Training

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

Training provider

REASEHEATH 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.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English, Maths (grade 4 / C and 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
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness
  • Positive attitude
  • Reliable

Other requirements

This is a physically active outdoor role in all seasons. Aston Hall is located in a rural area near Craven Arms and applicants should ensure they are able to travel to and from the estate reliably.

About this employer

Aston Hall is a private family estate in South Shropshire with extensive gardens, grounds and wider estate land. The estate is undergoing continued investment and enhancement, including new planting schemes, landscape improvements and ongoing garden development.

The successful apprentice will become part of a small, experienced estate team, gaining practical, hands-on experience across all aspects of horticulture, garden maintenance and estate management while studying towards a recognised Level 2 Horticulture apprenticeship.

Company benefits

  • Annual leave including bank holidays
  • Ongoing mentoring from an experienced estate team
  • Training towards a nationally recognised qualification

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

This apprenticeship is intended to provide a strong foundation for a long-term career in horticulture. The successful apprentice will gain experience across all aspects of estate horticulture.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

REASEHEATH COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043354.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 23 August 2026