Apprentice Gardener Level 2 Based in Wiltshire or Avon

Summary

The Apprentice Gardener will assist in the care, maintenance and development of turf and horticultural features within cemeteries and memorials in the West of England. Duties include turf culture, pruning, soil management, planting, pest control, machinery operation and maintenance, tree care, and the care of ornamental features.

Wage: £23,023 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours: Summer Hours Monday to Thursday 0800 to 1230 hours 1330 to 1700 hours Friday 0800 to 1230 hours 1300 to 1600 hours Winter Hours Monday to Friday 0830 to 1230 hours
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 14 April
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

This position is based around Wiltshire and Avon working on sites in the West of England with 3 nights away from home each week:

DUTIES:

Undertakes practical horticultural maintenance, renovation work and caretaking duties. This includes turf care, edging, hedge cutting, weeding, pruning.
Responsible for the safe operation, care, day to day maintenance of work equipment to a manufacturers guidance and reporting any issues to their Line Manager
Familiar with and competent in undertaking several routine administrative duties, including the use of IT and smart phones
Actively engages and work with other teams in the Region to deliver consistent standards across UKNA
Acts as a representation of the Commission at all times, including at CWGC held events at the cemetery
Providing advice and other information to Cemetery Visitors/members of the public, helping them locate war graves
Undertakes any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the role
Contributes to UKNA projects, tasks and working groups, as required
Required to complete all training of the Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship

Where you’ll work

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Trowbridge
BA14 8GQ

Training

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

College or training organisation

CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

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

Level 2 Horticulture apprenticeship standard.
Functional skills if required.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (grade 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
IT skills
Team working
Creative

Other requirements

Weekly travel within the west of the UK with 3 nights away each week. A full UK driving licence required or provisional licence if currently learning. Candidates must be 18+ years old due to the requirement to operate machinery in public places.

About this company

The CWGC is a highly respected, prestigious, global Organisation that honours and cares for the 1.7 million members of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Funded by six Commonwealth Member Governments, we build and maintain memorials and cemeteries at 23,000 locations, in 150 countries, including some of the world’s most iconic, landmark monuments. Today, over a century after we first began, our work continues through our staff, supporters and volunteers who preserve our unique cultural, horticultural and architectural heritage and ensure that the stories of those who died are told. We offer a unique and rewarding working environment.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of the Apprenticeship, the candidate is welcome to apply to open vacancies within the Organisation.

Ask a question

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