Summary
The Royal Parks Horticultural Apprenticeship Scheme is an ideal way to begin a career in horticulture and open space management. Our scheme is typically a 3 year appprenticeship combining college based learning with unrivalled workplace training in one of London's historic Royal Parks.
Wage
£23,000 a year
Wages will be at least the national minimum wage 21 and over rate regardsless of age £12.21 per hour.
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 7.00am to 3.30pm.
39 hours a week
Start date
Friday 1 August 2025
Duration
3 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
This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your horticultural skills whilst working in one of the UK's most famous parks. These parks are widely recognised as among the best of their kind in the world.
Day to Day park based tasks will include;
* Shrub bed maintenance
* Hedge Trimming
* Planting bedding, shrubs and trees
* Grass cutting
* Planting area and bedding maintenance
* Weed Control
* General gardening
* Litter and leaf collection
* Playground marking and tree surgery
* Spraying of chemicals - subject to qualification
* Driving - subject to qualification and authorisation
* Ad-hoc soft landscaping
* Ad-hoc involvement in the events / ceremonies within The Royal Parks
* Work as part of a highly skilled team to maintain The Royal Parks landscape
* Sports pitch management
* Floral displays
Apprentices will be supported by The Royal Parks Guild and will attend masterclass days and celebration events as part of their apprenticeship.
Course work will be through day release at Capel Manor Regent's Park campus.
Where you’ll work
The Magazine Yard
West Carriage Drive
Kensington Gardens
London
W2 2UH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
CAPEL MANOR 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
Horticulture/Landscape Operative Apprenticeship Standard which includes:
* Functional Skills English and maths Level 1
* Emergency First Aid
* Level 2 award in the safe use of pesticides PA1
* Pesticide application PA6/PA6W
* Level 2 award in safe use of pedestrian controlled mowers
* Level 2 award in safe use of ride on self propelled mowers
* RHS level 2 certificates as appropriate
* Course work will be through one day release at Capel Manor Regents's Park campus
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
* English (grade C / 4 or Equivalent)
* Maths (grade C / 4 or Equivalent)
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
* Communication skills
* Customer care skills
* Team working
* Initiative
* Physical fitness
* Practical Skills
* Academically minded
* Horticulture Interest
* Motivated
* Enthustiastic
* Hard Working
* Positive attitude
Other requirements
You must consider that the role is physically demanding, throughout all variances of weather. Must be willing to work outside in all weathers. Other aspects of the work include early starts and an ability to cope with regular physical work. The role involves working on very high profile sites, with many visitors, so a high level of professionalism is required.