Landscape Operative Apprenticeship

Summary

We offer a complete garden service - from managing the initial construction to the completion of a fully planted landscaped garden and then onward garden management and maintenance.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Yearly salary: Salary will be dependant on experience and level. Basic Apprenticeship rates offered in line with Government standards.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Lunch break length: 60 mins Start Time: On site from 7.00am Finish Time: 5.00pm (3.00pm in Winter)

40 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 August 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

For this position we require a well presented, hardworking and dedicated person who is enthusiastic about developing their skills and knowledge and who can work in a team.
Core operative duties to support the delivery of high-quality workmanship covering all aspects of landscaping, groundworks and garden management.
Clearing, weeding, blowing, mowing, strimming, edging, tidying, mixing, digging, rotavating, planting, mulching, paving and other related tasks.
Following instruction from your team leader and/or garden designer.
Paying special attention to the working environment, keeping site tidy, supplies stored correctly and ensuring site is kept safe – no spills, obstacles, trip hazards etc.
Dealing promptly with issues arising and escalating them immediately to your team leader.
To comply with Health and Safety legislation.

Where you’ll work

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

32 Burcott Gardens, Addlestone, KT15 2DE
Redlands Farm, Rickmans Lane, Kirdford, Billingshurst, RH14 0LD
Stedham Saw Mills, School Lane, Stedham, GU29 0NY

Training

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

College or training organisation

ACTIVATE LEARNING

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

This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

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
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness
Confidential with clients

Other requirements

Working outdoors in all winds and all weathers. Physical nature of the role. Travel is required to and from gardens daily. A driving licence and own vehicle is advantageous but not essential.

About this company

Green Gardens is a Garden Maintenance and Landscaping business which has been established for 21 years. We have yards in Addlestone in Surrey and Midhurst in West Sussex. We cover most areas in the South East of England and as well as regular garden maintenance for numerous clients, both private and commercial, working on small/medium gardens to large estates, we also undertake projects including garden construction and hard and soft landscaping.

http://green-gardens.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

There will be the opportunity to work towards a permanent role within our team, either in Garden Maintenance or Landscaping. This may entail further learning and development such as RHS qualifications or City & Guilds following completion of apprentice course.

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