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Gardening Apprentice
J DREWE LANDSCAPING & MAINTENANCE LTD
Location: Didcot (OX11 9HS)
Closing Date: 29 days from now (Friday 6 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on: 7 October 2026
Summary
A gardening apprenticeship is a great way to gain hands-on experience while learning valuable skills in garden maintenance. Join J.Drewe Landscaping to work alongside experienced professionals, build a rewarding career and grow your knowledge in a supportive and practical environment.
Wage: £17,550 a year
Training Course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:45am – 4:15pm. 37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start Date: Monday 4 January 2027
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
- Planting
- Weeding
- Mowing
- Turfing
- Leaf Clearing
- Hedge Cutting
Where you'll work
Alden Farm, Aldens Lane, Upton, Didcot OX11 9HS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training Provider: ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Training Course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
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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Course Contents (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).
Course Contents (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
- Delivery model: Work-based training with your employer
- Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
- Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being
- 20 days college attendance to complete Horticulture Principles and Practice course
- 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 L2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
- Level 1 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
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Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 557 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship.
Qualifications Included:
- Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths (if required)
- 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 Handheld Equipment
- Level 2 Horticulture Operative
End Point Assessment:
- Knowledge test
- Practical assessment
- Professional discussion
Requirements
Desirable Qualifications:
- GCSE in: Maths & English (grade A*- C / 4 - 9)
Skills:
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
Other Requirements:
- This role is based outdoors, and we work in all weathers.
- It is a physical job where you will be on your feet all day.
About this Employer
At J.Drewe Landscaping, we are a friendly but professional team. There are two sides to our business, we have our Landscaping team and our Garden Maintenance team. We cover a range of properties from private to commercial of various sizes. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional standards of work and customer service.
https://jdrewelandscaping.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
After this Apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
The role could lead to a full-time role upon the successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a Question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Mike
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235216216
Reference Code: VAC2000057620
Apply Now
Closes in 29 days (Friday 6 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
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