Apprenticeship Estate Worker
Private Country Estate
MARLBOROUGH (SN8 2RG)
Closes in 11 days (Thursday 1 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 16 September 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for an Estate Worker to join our small team on a 700 acre private estate near Marlborough.
The estate comprises of woodlands, parks, lakes, formal gardens, and a newly designed walled garden and the successful candidate will assist in maintaining the grounds to a high standard.
- Wage
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£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Countryside worker (level 2)
- Hours
-
This position is full time with normal working hours from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 12 October 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 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
The apprentice will work with the team maintaining the grounds to a high standard and will posses the ability to take instruction, completing tasks while working in a team, and alone, and show a positive and can do attitude.
The Estate Team are responsible for the wider areas of the estate, their roles vary throughout the year, the main duties are as follows:
Key duties will involve but not be explicit to:
- Hedge cutting
- Lawn mowing with pedestrian, ride on and tractor mounted
- Strimming parks and walkways
- Fencing around the estate
- Leaf blowing and clearing
- Tree maintenance to include felling
Where you'll work
MARLBOROUGH (SN8)
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
Training course
Countryside worker (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Manage habitats using a range of specialist techniques such as coppicing, hedge laying, river/stream bank stabilisation and establishing native plants, using appropriate tools and equipment. This could also include new and developing sustainable practices such as using natural materials to manage excessive rainfall (in constructing leaky dams and bale dams) and subsequently manage erosion and flood damage.
- Construct or repair boundaries including different fencing types (such as post and rail, stock fencing), hedging (establishing a new hedge or laying an existing hedge) and dry stone walling depending on the geographic location/landscape and local natural materials.
- Construct or maintain access ways, for example a path surface using aggregate, stone pitching, slabs, bark, concrete or tarmac. This will include the skills to ensure that the path surface drains properly.
- Manage vegetation in a range of different situations, for example strimming pathways, using pesticides, managing trees and hedgerows, eradicating invasive species in order to conserve native flora and fauna.
- Construct and /or maintain site furniture for access and interpretation. For example, bridges, gates, stiles, boardwalks, signs/waymarks or information boards using sustainable materials where possible. This will involve both following standard methods and also undertaking site specific design. For example, installing a gate on a sloping field will involve modifying the standard method, while every river or stream crossing while require a different design.
- Use a range of hand tools and powered tools safely such as hammers, panel saws, levels, drills, strimmers or chainsaws, hold the relevant certification for powered equipment and undertake the routine maintenance of the tools used.
- Problem solving: be resourceful in finding solutions to problems that may arise in day to day work and know when to ask a supervisor for advice.
- Identify a range of British flora and fauna native to the specific local area e.g. commonly seen birds, mammals, insects, herbs, flowers, trees or fungi to determine the appropriate habitat management needed.
- Undertake surveys which feed in to site management plans and work plans, for example, survey habitats and species, numbers of visitors, the condition of Rights of Way or structures/furniture.
- Write a simple dynamic risk assessment and be able to use it on site. Use the risk assessment as the basis of working safely; understanding the hazards on the site and involved in the wide range of practical tasks undertaken by Countryside Workers. Know how to reduce these risks to an acceptable level for themselves, the public and colleagues through using safe working practices and wearing personal protective equipment.
- Communicate effectively in a range of situations e.g. through face to face interaction, electronic communication, telephoning or presenting to members of the public, contractors, colleagues or landowners.
Training schedule
Block release weeks during the training period at Sparsholt College Hampshire.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4 (C) or above)
- Maths (grade 4 (C) or 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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Physical fitness
- Work on own initiative
- Adaptable
- Outdoor working all year round
- Aptitude for learning
- Good health
- Ability to take instruction
- Positive and can do attitude
Other requirements
The successful candidate will need to provide references and will be asked to complete a DBS check, which the company will organise and pay for.
Candidate will be required to provide evidence of current qualifications.
Location – The estate is located on the outskirts of Marlborough, there are bus stops, however they are a long walk or short drive away from the estate and grounds.
Due to the location of the Manor, and travelling to Sparsholt College, own transport and a full driving licence would be an advantage.
Working outdoors – We work through all seasons in all the weather.
Physically demanding work – duties include safely using a wide range of equipment including ladders and machinery. Possession of pesticide/chainsaw certificates is preferred, although training can be provided.
About this employer
Private country estate on the outskirts of Marlborough.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
A permanent position may be offered upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and this qualification will provide a good stepping stone for future career progression within the industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
Vicky Aitken
vicky.aitken@sparsholt.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053739.
Apply now
Closes in 11 days (Thursday 1 October 2026 at 11:59pm)