Apprentice gardener

Summary

A great opportunity to learn and develop your skills from a highly skilled and knowledgeable team. Lots of scope to learn and grow a career in horticulture and garden maintenance whilst becoming a valued team member. We have a long-established reputation for our high-quality work and friendly approach.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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£7.55 - £10.00 per hour depending on experience. Experience is not required for this role however we are offering a higher hourly rate for those with experience.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Number of Hours: Will vary seasonally Working days: Monday - Friday, half day Saturday some weeks. Lunch break length: 30 mins Start Time: 8:30 Finish Time: Will vary seasonally

40 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 1 June 2025

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

As the seasons change your day-to-day responsibilities and duties will change with them. During the summer months lawn mowing and weeding will form a large part of your role. Whereas during the winter months pruning and hedge cutting will be key.An understanding of how our gardens change and evolve throughout the year is very important. A knowledge of plants and planting is also key. Our aim is to nurture and maintain our clients' gardens.

Duties:

Planting
Pruning
Hedge cutting
Weeding
Lawn mowing

Where you'll work

SOUTHALL COTTAGE
HORSHAM ROAD
BEARE GREEN
DORKING
RH5 4QT

Training

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

College or training organisation

ACTIVATE LEARNING

Your 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.

Your training plan

Horticulture or landscape construction operative Level 2 (GCSE) Standard
Typical duration: 24 months
Dedicated Performance Coach
Functional Skills Maths and English
Day release Merrist Wood

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

This role will require apprentices to work outside all year round and in all weathers. In very wet or snowy weather it may not be possible to work. We are looking for someone with an interest and passion for gardening and horticulture. Physically fit and willingness to learn. You must be friendly and approachable with a pleasant demeanour. You will be client facing the majority of the time so this is very important. We also need someone reliable, trustworthy, punctual and hardworking. Working hours will vary with the seasons. During the winter the days are shorter therefore an average day might be from 9:30am - 4:00pm. In summer working days will be longer and on average will be from 9:30am - 6:00pm. When additional work is booked in you would be required to work on Saturdays (not all day).

About this company

We are a gardening and garden maintenance company which has been established for over 15 years. Our clients include private homes plus commercial properties. We take care of our client's gardens and pride ourselves on the relationships we have built with them. Our standards are extremely high as we take pride in our work.

Company benefits

Great career progression. Performance based wage increases.

After this apprenticeship

There will be a permanent job for the right candidate at the end of this process. We are looking to nurture and grow a successful relationship with our apprentice. Our company has grown over the years and we would like to grow further. Our vision is to expand further and provide opportunities for our apprentice to progress into a supervisory role. With the responsibility of leading their own team and managing their workload.

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