Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprentice

Summary

Passionate about plants? Start your horticulture career with a paid apprenticeship at the Horniman Museum & Gardens! What You'll Get: - £25,207 per year, 24-month apprenticeship - 35 hrs per week, occasional weekends - one study day per week at college. No experience needed—just a love for nature and a willingness to learn!

Wage

£25,207 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The Horticulture Operative apprentice receives the same wage regardless of age.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

35 hours per week (5 days), generally Monday to Friday: 7:30am - 4.00pm. Includes one early shift per week: 6:30am - 3.00pm. Occasional weekend work: either Saturday, 6:30am - 3.00pm or Sunday, 7:30am - 4.00pm.

35 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 7 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

Garden Maintenance: Carry out routine upkeep and respond to daily requirements as directed.
Plant Care: Support plant propagation and nursery work.
Tools & Equipment: Safely operate, maintain, and receive training on horticultural tools and machinery.
Visitor Safety & Engagement: Ensure visitor safety, respond to incidents, and interact positively with the public.
Health & Safety Compliance: Follow regulations, use PPE, and adhere to COSHH guidelines.

Where you’ll work

100 London Road

Forest Hill

London

SE23 3PQ

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

CAPEL MANOR 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 training is scheduled for one day a week at Capel Manor College.

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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Applicants should be aware that horticulture is a physically demanding profession, and work will be carried out outdoors in all weather conditions. College training will take place at Capel Manor College, and applicants must be prepared to study one day per week throughout the apprenticeship

About this company

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is a unique attraction in south east London where world cultures and the natural world are brought together for everyone to enjoy. The Museum holds internationally important collections of anthropology and musical instruments, as well as a popular natural history gallery and Aquarium. The 16 acres of beautiful Gardens feature a tropical Butterfly House and offer stunning views across London. The Horniman is the holder of the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022. As part of the Museum's Nature and Love project, we offer a hands-on horticulture apprenticeship programme that provides practical experience in our stunning gardens, alongside academic and vocational training. https://www.horniman.ac.uk/about-the-horniman/

https://www.horniman.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Full-time employment in the horticultural industry
Further studies or professional training in horticulture
Wider industry experience

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE HORNIMAN PUBLIC MUSEUM AND PUBLIC PARK TRUST

Note: The vacancy closing date is 28 February 2025, at 10 AM.

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000304884.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Wednesday 5 March)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

When you apply, you'll be asked to sign in with a GOV,UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship. After signing in, you'll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website. Please ensure you complete the minimum shortlisting criteria questions in the person specification section of the job description. Note: The vacancy closing date is 28 February 2025, at 10 AM.

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