Apprentice Landscaper

Summary

An opportunity has arisen at an established Design and Landscaping company based in Twyford near Reading for an apprentice Landscaper. The successful candidate will work with our landscaping teams learning both aspects of soft and hard Landscaping. Duties to include operating machinery, hard and soft landscaping and risk assessments.

Wage

£15,704 a year

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Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday - 7.30am - 16.30pm

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 7 May 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

Job Purpose: To help create outdoor spaces and gardens for our clients to enjoy all year round. We enjoy what we do and want the future apprentice to enjoy this industry too as well learn from us. We are willing to teach our skills and want someone who is willing to learn.

Landscape duties to include:

Hard and soft landscaping
Selecting and using tools and equipment consistent with risk assessments
Operate Machinery
Client/Customer care/Communication
Selecting and wearing appropriate, footwear and clothing
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues
Any other duties as required to achieve the expected standard

Where you’ll work

Creative Landscape Company Ltd
The Big Plant Nursery
Wargrave Road
Twyford
RG10 9PN

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

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

Weekly college attendance required once a week at Berkshire College of Agriculture campus
Level 2 Landscape Construction Operative Apprenticeship
Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English unless exempt
Level 3 First Aid at Work
PA1 Safe Use of Pesticides

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4 / C or above)
Maths (grade 4 / C or above)

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
Customer care skills
Punctual
Motivated
Positive Attitude

Other requirements

There is a requirement to be physically fit and able. There is lifting of equipment, and quite a lot of physical activity and movement involved. We also, within reason, work in all weathers. You will sometimes have direct contact with clients so need to be polite and cheerful at all times with a professional attitude.

About this company

Creative Landscape Co have been designing, building and maintaining award winning gardens for over 25 years and now also offer a fantastic range of plants and trees from our very own Nursery, The Big Plant Nursery in Twyford near Reading in Berkshire. We are very proud to have received various national awards for gardens we have been involved with including Gold Medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We work across Berkshire and adjacent counties for both domestic and commercial clients and our emphasis on providing inspiring ideas and a professional, but individual service remains at the heart of everything we do.

http://www.creative-landscape.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Possibility of a full-time post upon completion of Apprenticeship. You will gain satisfaction and self-confidence from knowing your capabilities have been successfully assessed against an established national framework.

The professional qualifications behind the Apprenticeship Programme and the experience through the Hortic diploma role will provide you with a great opportunity to progress your career with us and explore development opportunities that are available to you.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

Rahul Kapur

01753 443865

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000302347.

Apply now

Closes in 27 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

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