Horticultural Apprentice

RAYNERS PENN LTD

BUCKS, HP10 8LZ

Closes on Monday 31 March 2025

Posted on 14 February 2025


Summary

We are seeking a dedicated Horticultural Apprentice to join our team, maintaining and developing the outdoor areas of multiple properties, working with a team of 4 other gardeners . The ideal candidate will have a drive to improve themselves and the gardens they work in and have a passion for outdoor work.

Wage
£15,704 to £25,396.80 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

40 hours a week

Possible start date

Tuesday 1 April

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

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

Tasks to include:

  • Mowing lawns and trimming edges
  • Planting herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees
  • designing and maintaining garden beds
  • Pruning trees and hedges
  • Operating and maintaining gardening equipment
  • Assisting with general maintenance tasks as needed
  • Weeding
  • Tool maintenance 

Where you’ll work

RAYNERS ESTATE

CHURCH ROAD

PENN

BUCKS

HP10 8LZ

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

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

  • Level 2 Horticulture Construction Operative
  • Level 2 Functional skills in English and maths if required
  • One day a week at the BCA campus for practical hands-on and theory-based activities

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English and maths (grade 4 or above or equivalent)

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
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness
  • Punctual
  • Reliable

Other requirements

You will be working outside in all weather. The job is physical so be prepared to carry out tasks such as lifting and digging.

About this company

Set in the heart of Penn, Rayners boasts a wonderful history. Originally it was a country house, built by Sir Phillip Rose in 1847. After more than two generations in the family it changed ownership and became a school for deaf children. Unoccupied since 2015, the buildings have fallen into disrepair, the history faded from memory…until now. Our ambition is to create a prestigious luxury hotel by returning the Victorian buildings to their former glory. Sustainability will be at the heart of this world-class establishment which will feature a fine dining restaurant, bistro, cookery school and wellness spa. As a collection of locals, we are proud of Penn and genuinely excited to bring the house and grounds back to life. The revival has begun, and we would love you to join us on this journey.

http://raynerspenn.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Possible full-time employment upon completion of apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

petergoodchild@raynerspenn.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000303140.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 31 March 2025

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