Apprentice Gardener

Summary

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a passionate and enthusiastic local person to undertake a horticulture apprenticeship with Topiarus Horticulture Ltd based in Chipping Norton. We focus on providing a professional gardening service of the highest standard to our clients across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds and would like you to join the team!

Annual wage: £17,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours: Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 4:30pm (breaks to be confirmed)
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 3 February
Duration: 1 year 6 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

Core tasks associated to this role include:

Garden maintenance
Weeding
Pruning
Hedge trimming
Soil & border preparation
Planting - trees, shrubs & perennials
Assist in soft landscaping projects
Lawn maintenance

Where you’ll work

15E Elmsfield Industrial Estate, Worcester Road

Chipping Norton

OX7 5XL

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

ABINGDON AND WITNEY 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

Duration:

15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment

Delivery model:

Work-based training with your employer
Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
20 days of college attendance to complete the Horticulture Principles and Practice course
1 day college attendance to complete the Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid course
2 days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA1 Pesticides course (theory)
2 days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
Level 1 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work

Qualifications included:

Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths
Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid
Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides
Level 2 Award in The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Handheld Equipment
Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship

End Point Assessment:

Knowledge test
Practical assessment
Professional discussion

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

4 GCSEs, including English, maths and a science (grade A*- C / 9 - 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

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Physical fitness
Positive Attitude
Practical Skills

Other requirements

Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early. Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session: Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to attend an Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session at Witney or Abingdon campus.  This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions.  As a new Apprenticeship applicant you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session please call us on 01235 216216.       Qualification checks: By applying for this vacancy you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.     The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £6.40 per hour from April 2024. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training.

About this company

We focus on providing a professional gardening service of the highest standard to our clients across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. Established since 2004 we have ensured that numerous clients have received exceptional service in the care and maintenance of their gardens. At Topiarus horticulture Ltd, we pride ourselves on providing a professional gardening and grounds maintenance service of the highest quality. We aim to offer all of our clients a first rate experience where we understand the needs for their garden and work with you to achieve a wonderful outside space that they can enjoy.

http://www.topiarus-horticulture.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

For a successful apprentice a full-time role of a gardener would be offered with future prospects at Topiarus.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Mike

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235216216

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000287918.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Sunday 15 December at 11:59pm)

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