Apprentice Horticulture Nursery Operative

Summary

As an Apprentice Nursery Operative, based at Whiting Landscape Limited in Bromsgrove, you'll support the day-to-day running of the nursery, gaining hands-on experience in plant production, health, preparation and maintenance while working towards a recognised apprenticeship qualification.

Wage

£17,680 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Working onsite, your hours will be 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday, and you will attend college for one week every 2-months with both on and ‘off the job’ learning support in-between.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 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

Assisting with propagation, potting, spacing and growing shrubs

Carrying out plant care tasks such as:

Watering and feeding
Pruning and maintenance
Monitoring plant health
Helping prepare plants for sale and dispatch
Maintaining clean and organised nursery areas
Learning to use tools and equipment safely
Supporting stock movement and general nursery operations
Following all Health & Safety and environmental standards

Where you'll work

Wildmoor Lane
Bromsgrove
Worcestershire
B61 0RH

Training

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

Training provider

WARWICKSHIRE 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.

Working onsite, your working hours will be 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday, and you will attend college in Pershore for one week every 2-months with both on and ‘off the job’ learning support in-between.

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Team working
Initiative
Genuine interest in plants
Positive attitude
Strong work ethic
Comfortable working outdoors
Good attention to detail
Reliable & punctual

Other requirements

Please note, we’re based in a semi-rural location, so the ability to get to and from work without using public transport will be useful.

About this employer

Whiting Landscape Limited, a trusted Commercial Landscaping Company, based in Catshill, Bromsgrove, is offering an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Horticulture Nursery Operative to join the team. Based on site with Burcot Lane Nurseries, co-located at our Wildmoor Lane Head Office, the Nursery has a strong reputation for shrub growing expertise and excellent production techniques.

https://www.whitinglandscape.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Hands-on experience in professional shrub production
Support from an experienced, friendly team
Career development opportunities
Be part of a respected, quality-focused nursery

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

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

On successful completion of this apprenticeship, you could become a Nursery Operative with potential progression to Supervisor
You could also become a Landscape Operative carrying out landscape maintenance on client sites, either locally or further afield
This could lead to the role of Foreman, then Supervisor, or even Contracts Manager

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WHITING LANDSCAPE LIMITED

Lisa Smith

lisa.smith@whitinglandscape.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043382.

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

Requirements

Skills

Other requirements

About this employer

Company benefits

Disability Confident

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now

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Apprentice Horticulture Nursery Operative

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

Requirements

Skills

Other requirements

About this employer

Company benefits

Disability Confident

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now