Horticulture Operative Apprentice

Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic, forward thinking and hard-working individual to join our team of gardeners who will grasp the opportunities that will be given to them. There are very few gardens now where there is such scope for a trainee to carry out a range of tasks which will give them excellent skills, experience and fantastic grounding.

Wage

£18,000 a year

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A salary review once successfully completed a 6 month probation period.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

40 hours per week with a flexible approach during busy periods and eventually to join the weekend watering rota. Shifts to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Duration

1 year 3 months

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

Glasshouse production
Plant propagation
Fruit cultivation
Vegetable production
Cut flower cultivation
Pruning and training
Shrub border work
Herbaceous border work
Replanting borders
Lawn care
Hedge work
Machinery use
Flower arranging

Where you’ll work

Barton Abbey
Steeple Barton
Bicester
OX25 4QS

Training

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

College or training organisation

ABINGDON AND WITNEY 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

Duration:
• 15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment

Delivery model:
• Work-based training with your employer
• Approximately 6 on-site assessment visits per year
• 20 days college attendance to complete Horticulture Principles and Practice course
• 4 days portfolio building sessions
• 1 day college attendance to complete Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid course
• 2 days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA1 Pesticides course (theory)
• 2 days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
• Level 1 Functional Skills in Maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
• Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work

Qualifications included:
• Level 1 Functional Skills in English and Maths
• Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid
• Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides
• Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment
• Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship

End Point Assessment:
• Knowledge test
• Practical assessment
• Professional discussion

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade A*- C / 9 - 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
Attention to detail
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Physical fitness
Time Management

Other requirements

Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early. Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session: Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to attend an Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session at Witney or Abingdon campus. This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions. As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session, please call us on 01235 216216. Qualification checks: By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £7.55 per hour from April 2025. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training.

About this company

Barton Abbey is a traditional country estate with a 20 acre garden. The gardens are very diverse including kitchen gardens, glass houses, shrub and herbaceous borders, lawns, machinery and propagation.

After this apprenticeship

If possible we would aim for the candidate to have a long term future here but our aim would also be to ensure that when and if the candidate left here they would have a high skill base and knowledge that they would be able to work elsewhere in the horticultural industry and potentially take their career to the next level.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Mike

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235216216

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000306632.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Friday 25 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

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