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Horticulture or Landscape Operative Apprentice
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Horticulture or Landscape Operative Apprentice
A KEMP GARDEN SERVICES LTD
BRAINTREE (CM7 4ST)
Closes in 12 days (Tuesday 13 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 30 September 2026
Summary
This is a fantastic opportunity for a young individual to join a family run Gardening and Landscaping business, whilst working towards a recognised qualification, while being part of a supportive team. As you gain experience, you will take on more responsibility and develop skills that can lead to a rewarding long term career.
Wage: £15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Pay review after 3 months and yearly thereafter.
Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours: Working Monday to Friday, 7.45am - 4.00pm (some Saturday work available during busier times). Attending Writtle College one day a week 9.00am -4.00pm. 37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date: Thursday 15 October 2026
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
- Learn and develop skills in all aspects of garden maintenance and landscaping
- Learn to use various tools and machinery correctly and safely
- Learn to communicate and develop positive interactions with various customers, while working in the great outdoors
Where you'll work
AL-MAR 2 PANT PLACE BRIDGE STREET GREAT BARDFIELD BRAINTREE CM7 4ST
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider: WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED
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).
- 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).
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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).
Requirements
Essential qualifications:
- GCSE in: English (grade 2)
- Maths (grade 2)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Physical fitness
- Working outside
Other requirements:
- Applicant will need to be punctual and well presented.
- Applicant will need to be able to get to the business address by their own means.
About this employer
We are a garden maintenance and landscaping company, dealing with all aspects of work in gardens and commercial settings.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). There will be an opportunity in the future to run and manage own jobs within the company. Also the possibility of driving company vans.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WRITTLE COLLEGE LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055986.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Tuesday 13 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
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