Summary
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic team member to join the company. The role will predominately be hard and soft landscaping work, developing a wealth of skills. Part of the role will also be undertaking grounds maintenance works on gated developments.
Annual wage
£18,200 a year
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 07.30 – 16-30 (with the ability to be flexible). This will include day release at Sparsholt during term time.
40 hours a week
Possible start date
Monday 7 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
The core area of the role will be assisting in the creation of gardens from the plan to completion. Working closely with a range of garden designers, we undertake all aspects of hard/soft landscaping works with an emphasis on good horticultural practice.
The successful applicant will gain experience with a wide variety of skills, including:
* Paving
* Brickwork
* Timber construction
* Metalwork
* Groundworks/drainage
Soft Landscaping
* Hedge cutting
* Soil preparation
* Grass cutting and strimming
* Planting
* Shrub pruning
* Turfing
* Border maintenance and weed conrol
Where you’ll work
12 BEECHCROFT CLOSE
CHANDLER'S FORD
EASTLEIGH
SO53 2HU
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 at Sparsholt College during term time.
More training information
* Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2
* 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 C (4) or above)
* Maths (grade C (4) or above)
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
* Communication skills
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Number skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Physical fitness
* Can do attitude
* An interest in landscaping
Other requirements
This is a physically demanding role where you will be required to work outside in all weathers. For insurance purposes the employer requires a driving license and own transport.