Apprentice Gardener

QUALIS MANAGEMENT LTD

EPPING, Essex

Closes in 16 days (Friday 14 August 2026)

Posted on 28 July 2026

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Contents

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to learn all aspects of general gardening duties within a Ground’s Maintenance environment. The work is carried out on council owned land including playing fields, cemeteries, highway verges, sheltered housing sites and playgrounds.

Wage

£15,808 to £25,114.96, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  •       Opportunity to earn a performance related cash bonus of up 15% of salary 
  •        Pension scheme contributions set at 7% of salary
  •        Life Insurance cover at 4 x your annual salary
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
7.00am - 4.00pm Monday - Thursday, 7.00am - 3.30pm Friday (March to October), 7.30am - 3.00pm Monday - Friday (November to February).

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 14 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

  • Hand Mowing
  • Strimming
  • Hedgecutting
  • Rose pruning
  • Weeding
  • Shrub planting
  • Bed maintenance
  • Watering
  • Bulb planting
  • Spring / summer bedding planting and design
  • Ride on Mowing / Tractor Driving subject to a full driving licence

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • CIVIC OFFICES, 323 HIGH STREET, EPPING, CM16 4BZ
  • 180 Oakwood Hill, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3FQ

Training

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

Training provider

CAPEL MANOR 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 training will take place both onsite as part of a working team and at Capel Manor College on a day release.

More training information

The gardening teams meet at a central yard in Loughton to collect vehicles and tools for the day ahead. They then go out onsite to various locations within the Epping Forest District.

Main Yard.

180 Oakwood Hill, Loughton, IG10 3FQ.

Requirements

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
  • Initiative
  • Physical fitness
  • Enthusiasm
  • Desire to learn new skills
  • Positive attitude
  • Commitment

Other requirements

This is a very practical hands-on role that is physical in nature. The applicant would need a good level of fitness and be prepared to work outside in all weathers.

About this employer

Across the Epping Forest District we build new homes and commercial buildings and deliver high quality homes and grounds services on behalf of Epping Forest District Council.

http://www.qualisgroup.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Wellbeing support including employee assistance programme
  • Qualis pension scheme 25 days annual leave + bank holidays and Christmas closure
  • Perkbox discounts & wellbeing perks
  • Ongoing professional development
  • Bupa Cash plan

Disability Confident

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).

After completing the apprenticeship, the candidate would have the opportunity to become a gardener within one of our sector teams. After some experience they could gain further skills and train to become a tractor driver or take on more responsibility as a lead gardener. Currently the two contract supervisors both started work as gardeners.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE

Chris Burgess

chris.burgess@qualispropertysolutions.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000044987.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Friday 14 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.