Summary
I’m a professional gardener with 7 years of gardening experience and a level 2 RHS qualification. I was trained predominantly on the job by a learned experienced gardener myself and wish to train others the same way. I predominantly care for large rural gardens on a weekly/fortnightly basis with attention to quality over quantity.
Wage
£15,704 a year
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm
40 hours a week
Possible start date
Friday 25 April
Duration
2 years 3 months
Positions available
1
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
Looking for an enthusiastic applicant to work with an experienced gardener maintaining primarily large private gardens. I predominately care for large rural gardens on a weekly / fortnightly basis with atention to quality over quantity and attention to detail. I also pride myself in providing a good rapport with my customers to understand their needs and interests in the garden, allowing me to taylor my work to them. This is a great opportunity to learn from a skilled gardener and gain hands on experiencein all aspects of garden care.
This will include:
* planting
* pruning
* lawn care
* seasonal maintenance.
Offering: On the job training in professional garden maintenance alongside day release at Sparsholt College
Experience working on high quality private gardens in a supportive hands on learning environment.
Looking for:
* A genuine interest in horticulture and garden maintenance
* Willingness to learn and work in all weather conditions
* Reliability, good attention to detail, and a strong work ethic
* No prior experience necessary, but a keen attitude is essential.
Where you’ll work
78 VINEY AVENUE
ROMSEY
SO51 7NT
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE
Your training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
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
Day release to Sparsholt College every Friday during term time.
More training information
Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:
Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (Ofqual registered) minimum 1-day course, City and Guilds NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Safe Use of Abrasive Wheel Machines OR Lantra Abrasive Wheel Machines Course
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths achieve Level 1 and take the test for Level 2 before taking the end-point assessment
Apprentices will need to achieve the EPAs to achieve their apprenticeship:
On-line knowledge assessment - a 60-minute online test containing 40 multiple choice questions
Practical assessment EPA - a range of 4 practical activities taking no more than six hours undertaken in controlled conditions with responses to verbal questioning from the Independent End-Point Assessor
The apprentice will undertake three tasks core tasks and one task from the optional route - Horticulture or Landscaping
Professional Discussion EPA - An hour-long professional discussion under controlled conditions between the EPA and the apprentice to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4 (C) or above)
* Maths (grade 4 (C) or above)
Desirable qualifications
Other in:
* License (grade Full)
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
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Physical fitness
* Respectful manner
* An interest in horticulture
* Can do attitude
* Aptitude for learning
* Reliable
Other requirements
This is a physically demanding role where you will be required to work outdoors in all weathers.