Horticulture / Garden Centre Apprentice

Summary

We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic member of staff to join our friendly garden centre team. If you have an interest in horticulture and houseplants, or are willing to learn within a happy environment, this could be the perfect role for you! This is a 34.75hrs per week position and includes working every other weekend.

Wage

£12,563.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday–Sunday between 9am–4pm. Please note that this will be a 5-day working week, so when weekends are worked there will be two days off during the week.

32 hours 15 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 28 April 2025

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

Working with plants (general care, watering and maintenance)
Helping maintain the surrounding grassed areas and bushes
Helping keep the garden centre clean, tidy and safe
Heavy lifting required
Working outside during all seasons
Helping customers with horticulture queries and requests
Working at the tills serving customers. Till training will be given
Pricing and merchandising stock, ensuring great availability for our customers
Assisting with stock control and replenishment
Unloading and checking off deliveries
Experience within customer service is preferable, however not essential
A positive attitude towards learning about the role is much more important!

Where you’ll work

PEEL RETAIL PARK
WASHINGTON
NE37 2PA

Training

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

College or training organisation

EAST DURHAM 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

The successful candidate will complete Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship Standard. This will be delivered in the workplace, with a tutor visiting once a month, and day release at Houghall College once a week.

Requirements

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
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Initiative
Patience

About this company

Small family owned garden centre in the North East of England. Here at Clay's Garden Centre Ltd, we are an established business based in Washington, that prides ourselves on offering a range of garden equipment, plants and accessories at a reasonable price. Based in Peel Retail Park, we are open 7 days a week with ample free parking nearby. Our friendly staff are very experienced, and can help you choose from our wide range of garden products. Whether it's some new plants for a decorative border or you want a set of garden chairs, we will be able to help. We also have a coffee shop in our garden centre, and look forward to your visit.

https://www.claysgardencentreltdwashington.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

28 days holiday including bank holidays.

After this apprenticeship

Possibility of permanent employment for the right person.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

Emma Norbury

emma.norbury@eastdurham.ac.uk

01915185587

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000313313.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Monday 21 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

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