Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprentice

Summary

Are you interested in learning about plants, gardening or horticulture, but new to the industry? Get the skills you need to start your career in horticulture with our apprenticeships at an RHS Garden.

Annual wage

£22,308 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

All RHS Horticulture Operative apprentices are paid the same wage regardless of age.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Mainly Monday - Friday 08.00 - 16.00 with occasional weekend working (5 in 7 rota) so time taken off in lieu during the working week when this occurs.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Friday 1 August

Duration

2 years

Positions available

3

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

Carry out practical work, in all weathers and across the seasons
Spend time with each of the garden teams, working across a range of garden types (formal and informal ornamental)
Work with staff from different areas of the Harlow Carr site and interact with the garden visitors

Where you’ll work

RHS Garden Harlow Carr

2 Crag Lane

Beckwithshaw

Harrogate

HG3 1QB

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

PLUMPTON 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

Training takes at Plumpton College West Sussex, so the applicant must be prepared to travel away from home up to 4 weeks per year
Up to 4 residential weeks on site and 3 weeks online as block release per year
All Horticulture Operative Apprentices from the 5 RHS gardens train at college together and so build up a great network over the course of 2 years

More training information

Plumpton College is a rural, land-based college in the heart of the South Downs outside Brighton
All transport, food and accommodation costs are covered by the RHS

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 9-4)
English (grade 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
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Applicants will need to be aware that horticulture is a physical profession and work takes place outdoors in all weathers. College training take place in West Sussex so applicants must be prepared to travel and spend residential block weeks away from home.

About this company

As a charity, we want to inspire a passion for gardening and growing plants, promote the value of gardens, demonstrate how gardening is good for us and explain the vital role that plants play. The RHS is committed to be an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds to stay inclusive and avoid indirect discrimination.

https://www.rhs.org.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Free tickets to our amazing flower shows: RHS Chelsea, RHS Hampton Court Palace and RHS Tatton Park for friends and family. Employee discounts in gift shops, garden centres and online

After this apprenticeship

Full-time employment in the horticultural industry
Further studies or professional training in horticulture
Wider industry experience or travel with bursaries

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

School of Horticulture (work based training)

schoolofhorticulture@rhs.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000295085.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 1 March

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Apply using the link above. More information can be found at https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/qualifications-and-training/work-based-training/rhs-apprenticeships

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