Horticulture apprenticeship

Summary

Wonder Gardens Ltd is an organically grown gardening company in Guildford area. It is a gardener’s gardening company priding itself on taking keen interest in plants & providing a high-quality service with excellent customer satisfaction.

Wage

£11,778 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Working hours: - Average 25 -30 hours a week - 5 - 9 hrs a day between 7.30 am and 8 pm depending on the season and the needs of the business - A week’s notice will be given regarding days and hours of work

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

3 - 5 days a week February to December, including a day at college 1 – 3 days a week in December – February, including a day at college Mondays – Fridays. 1 hr of unpaid lunch break.

30 hours a week

Possible start date

Sunday 1 June

Duration

2 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

Weeding
Grass cutting
Strimming
Pruning
Planting
Mulching
Digging
Hedge trimming
Communicating with clients regarding their needs and requirements
Tool maintenance

Work ranges from regular garden maintenance, advising on plant selection and suitability, creating new flower beds, monitoring the health of plants, laying lawn, to creating compost areas.

Where you’ll work

9 Long Dyke
Guildford
GU1 2UD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

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

Horticulture or landscape construction operative, Level 2 (GCSE)
Typical duration: 24 months.
Standard
Horticulture apprenticeship
Dedicated Performance Coach
Day release Merrist Wood
Functional Skills Maths and English

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
Physical fitness
Reliable
Resilient
Enjoy the outside
Polite and Courteous Manner

Other requirements

• Passion for horticulture and related learning is essential. • Experience in customer service roles desirable, but on the job training will be provided for the right candidate • Keen interest in plants and in gardening, willingness to learn. • Reliable • Resilient • Enjoy being outside • Polite and courteous manner • Good attention to detail • Fit to carry out physically demanding tasks and excellent manual dexterity • Ready to work in every weather

About this company

Wonder Gardens Ltd is an organically grown gardening company in Guildford area. It is a gardener’s gardening company priding itself on taking keen interest in plants and providing a high-quality service with excellent customer satisfaction. Work ranges from regular garden maintenance, advising on plant selection and suitability, creating new flower beds, monitoring the health of plants, laying lawn, to creating compost areas.

http://www.wondergardenssurrey.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Wage increases after successful passing of 6 months probation period, depending on apprentice’s progress and work ethic. Significant support given with training.

After this apprenticeship

Support with training up to RHS Level 3 Certificate in the Principles for Plant Growth, Garden Planning and Applied Propagation or similar.

Full-time employment offer for the right candidate on completing the apprenticeship and excellent work record.

Possible further courses and training support offered according to the needs of the business and the employee’s ambitions.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ACTIVATE LEARNING

Jenny Hyam

faculty.enrolments@activateapprenticeships.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000306138.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Monday 31 March at 11:59pm)

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