Estates Apprentice

Learn the practical trades and skills needed to keep the charity’s estate safe, functional and well presented. Church Knowle is the charity’s head office and principal visitor and rehoming centre: a working rural site with animal accommodation, paddocks, fencing, outbuildings, cottages and public areas.

Wage
£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm with an hour unpaid lunch. One day per week off site to attend training college.
37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date
Monday 12 October 2026

Duration
2 years

Positions available
1

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work
Grounds, landscaping and fencing:
Grass cutting, strimming, hedge trimming, planting and general grounds upkeep, including paths, car parking, drainage and public areas
Installing, repairing and inspecting stock fencing, post and rail, livestock proof fencing, gates, latches and paddock boundaries
Understanding why containment standards matter in an animal rescue setting, and recording fence and gate inspections and defects

Painting, repairs and building fabric:
Surface preparation, filling, sanding, priming and finishing internal and external surfaces, working to washable, durable and animal safe standards
Basic carpentry and joinery repairs to doors, windows, frames and fittings, and basic repairs to plastered surfaces, tiling and flooring
Responding to day-to-day maintenance requests under supervision, including basic plumbing tasks such as tap changes, isolating supplies and clearing blockages
Fault finding, and knowing clearly when a job must be passed to a qualified trade or contractor

Site management and planned maintenance:
Contributing to the planned preventative maintenance schedule, and assisting with statutory and routine checks including fire equipment, emergency lighting, water safety and legionella flushing, and portable appliance testing
Meeting, inducting and supervising contractors under direction, and checking work on completion

Health, safety and your apprenticeship:
Working safely at all times under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, risk assessments and method statements, using personal protective equipment correctly and handling substances safely under COSHH
Following site biosecurity procedures and behaving safely around animals in the charity’s care, and reporting hazards, near misses and accidents promptly
Completing off the job training, building a portfolio of evidence with a workplace mentor, attending progress reviews and preparing for end point assessment
Working towards Level 2 English and maths where not already achieved

Where you'll work
CHURCH KNOWLE
WAREHAM
DORSET
BH20 5NQ

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

Training provider
COASTLAND COLLEGE

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

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).
(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).