Summary
Do you enjoy working outside & looking to join a friendly & small team, based in Epsom? We’re looking for a full time, Garden Apprentice ideally with a driving license(not essential), to join the team. You’ll join a friendly & sociable team and be given a daily and weekly schedule of pre-booked gardens to maintain, to a high standard.
Wage
£15,704 a year
Yearly salary: Apprenticeship Minimum Wage, increasing with experience
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
•Number of Hours: 40 hours per week •Lunch break: 45 minutes •Start & finish time: 7.45 am – 4.30 pm
40 hours a week
Possible start date
Sunday 1 June
Duration
2 years
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
Garden maintenence skills including:
· Grass cutting
· Weeding
· Strimming
· Hedge cutting
· Planting
· Ride on mowers
· Garden design (basic)
· Excellent customer service
Where you’ll work
44 NIGHTINGALE DRIVE
EPSOM
KT19 9EN
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
ACTIVATE LEARNING
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
Hort and Land Level 2
24 months
Functional Skills Maths and English
More training information
We currently have one Garden Apprentice in the team, who started their college apprenticeship in September 24 (a two year programme at Merrist Wood College, Guildford).
This has gone really well and we are keen to take on another Garden Apprentice, to start ASAP and who is keen to start their apprenticeship at college in September 2025.
The process will include an assessment for Maths and English and the training will be provided in the workplace by a college provider working towards the Horticulture Operative Standard Apprenticeship
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* Maths and English (grade 3-4 (D-C))
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
* Attention to detail
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
Previous gardening experience is desirable, but not essential. A keen interest in gardening and horticulture, keen to become a fully qualified Gardener, within a supportive and friendly team Can undertake general gardening jobs involving manual work and the use of machinery and equipment You’ll be keen to learn, hardworking, reliable and able to use your initiative You'll have both your English Level 1 & Maths Level 1 A valid driving license (desirable) A DBS check will be carried out for this role. Happy to work outside in all weather conditions. Ideally a valid driving license and car, able to travel to locations to start work