Apprentice Horticulturist
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo (CH21LH)
Closes in 30 days (Sunday 30 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 30 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Our Apprentice Horticulturist’s will play a key role learning while working as part of our professional horticulture and botany teams, to ensure the highest standards of care and cultivation of our gardens and extensive plant collections across the zoo.
- Wage
-
£16,640 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
-
5 days per week including weekends and bank holidays as rostered.
7.00am to 4.00pm or 7:30am - 4:30pm (depending on time of year).
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
2
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
As part of the zoo's horticultural department as an apprentice, you'll be trained on and responsible for (but not limited to) the following:
Key responsibilities
- To develop horticultural knowledge and skills to grow, nurture and develop a wide range of plants.
- To learn how to identify and control pest, disease, weed infestations using appropriate methods.
- To work within the team to design new horticultural planting.To learn the importance of and comply with risk assessments and safe operating procedures.
- To learn and develop skills to use and maintain a range of hand tools and mechanical horticultural equipment.
You’ll develop your skills alongside various members of the team, learning a variety of duties and supporting the whole organisation to continued growth. You’ll be taught and mentored by supervisors who are well versed in the job role and industry, to achieve your full potential and share in the organisations success.
If you are committed and ready to take your first step into a real career with a well-established organisation, then please apply now! This apprenticeship and opportunity with The North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo) will be highly competitive, so do not miss your chance!
Where you'll work
The North of England Zoological
Society
Cedar House
Chester Zoo
CH21LH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
RNN GROUP
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 successful candidate will continue their studies with apprenticeship specialists, RNN Group both remotely and on a 1-2-1 basis at the workplace, giving you the training and support you need to achieve the accompanying qualification.
Requirements
Essential 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Be reliable and punctual
- Interest in plant species
- Willing to listen and learn
- Work under pressure
- Knowledge of Microsoft
- Committed to the zoo's mission
Other requirements
This is a physical role and the role holder will spend a significant amount of time either outdoors in all weather conditions or in temperature controlled environments. The roles will involve a range of manual tasks. This is a public facing role out in the zoo.
About this employer
We are Chester Zoo and we are mission motivated, passionate people, working together to be the best. We opened in 1931 by founder, George Mottershead who wanted to create the first UK zoo without bars. We are home to over 37,000 animals across our 128 acre site and have over 2 million visitors a year. Our mission is to prevent extinction; it’s a bold statement but we are confident that by working together and with our partners we can make a difference to wildlife here in the UK and the world.
We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.
http://www.chesterzoo.org (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 33 days holiday per annum
- Staff pass plus complimentary tickets
- Access to healthcare plan
- Pension scheme
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).
Possibility of full-time employment within the sector
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
RNN GROUP
Lorraine
lorraine.savage@rnngoup.ac.uk
07713 319356
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045418.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Sunday 30 August 2026 at 11:59pm)