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Apprentice Gardener
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This is an exciting opportunity to represent Rosalind and David Cleevely at Aston Hall, a private family estate in South Shropshire with extensive gardens, grounds and wider estate land.
What you'll do at work
- Supporting the care and maintenance of gardens, lawns, borders and planted areas
- Assisting with seasonal planting, pruning, weeding and general horticultural tasks
- Learning plant identification, propagation and cultivation techniques
- Helping maintain the wider estate grounds to a high standard
- Operating and maintaining horticultural tools and equipment safely
- Assisting with vegetable growing, greenhouse work and seasonal projects where appropriate
- Supporting new planting schemes and ongoing garden development
- Working alongside experienced gardeners and estate staff to develop practical horticultural skills
- Following safe working practices and contributing to the smooth running of the estate
Where you'll work
- Aston Hall
- Aston Munslow
- Craven Arms
- SY7 9ER
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
- HEREFORDSHIRE, LUDLOW, AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE COLLEGE
Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
What you'll learn
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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
- Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
- Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
- Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
- Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
- Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
- Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
- Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
- Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
- Install turf for situation.
- Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
- Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
- Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
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Landscape construction
- Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
- Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
- Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
- Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
- Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
- Install drainage in landscaping.
- 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.
- Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
- Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
- Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
- Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
- Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
- Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
Training schedule
- Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Standard, which includes:
- Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if required). Not necessary for 19+
- Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
- End Point Assessment (EPA)
- Certificate of Completion for the Standard
- Work place assessment with one of County Training’s highly experienced workplace Assessors, including as an example, completion of assignments, project, and observation of workplace activities.
- There may also be a requirement to attend formal teaching sessions to enhance knowledge or work towards completion of functional skills (if required). Not necessary for 19+
- There is also a requirement for you to keep an off the job log which is an important part of your Apprenticeship Programme.
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Employer Rights and Responsibilities.
Personal Learning and Thinking.
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.
Training will take place within the workplace, supported by the assessor through regular visits and reviews. An online portfolio is also used where tasks are set and progress is monitored.
Previous gardening, horticultural, conservation or outdoor volunteering experience desireable
RHS studies or horticultural qualifications (if already undertaken) desireable
Aston Hall is a private family estate in South Shropshire with extensive gardens, grounds and wider estate land. The estate is undergoing ongoing development and enhancement, including new planting projects and improvements to the gardens and landscape.
The successful apprentice will work alongside an experienced estate team, gaining practical hands-on experience in all aspects of horticulture, garden maintenance and estate management while studying towards a recognised horticultural qualification.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This role is intended to provide a strong foundation for a long-term career in horticulture.
For the right candidate there may be the opportunity for continued employment following successful completion of the apprenticeship.
The apprentice will gain experience across a wide range of horticultural and estate activities, working alongside experienced staff.
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
- HEREFORDSHIRE, LUDLOW, AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE COLLEGE
- COUNTY TRAINING
- enquiries@ctapprenticeships.co.uk
- 0345 678 9023
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038450.
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