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Soft Landscaper Apprentice
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We have experience of working with apprentices to help them start their careers. In return for your hard working and dedication to provide the best results for our customers, we will train and develop you within the apprenticeship and beyond.
Wage
£17,472 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
A performance based pay review after 3 months in the role
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Additional weekend work if required where you will be paid at an overtime rate. Exact working days and hours to be confirmed. 42 hours a week
Start date
Monday 2 November 2026
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
- Soft landscaping
- Planting inc trees
- Irrigation
- Small tree pruning
- All forms of maintenance
- We occasionally sway into more forms of carpentry, creating raised beds and all forms of lawn edging
Where you'll work
Cottes Hill Farm
Station Road, Haddenham
Aylesbury
HP17 8DD
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)
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.
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(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).
Training schedule
Duration- 15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment
Delivery model- Work-based training with your employer
Approximately 6 on-site assessment visits per year
20 days college attendance to complete Horticulture Principles and Practice course
4 days portfolio building sessions
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 Level 2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
Level 1 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work
Qualifications included:
Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths
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 Apprenticeship
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End Point Assessment:
Knowledge test
Practical assessment
Professional discussion
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
English & Maths (grade A*- C / 9 - 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
We would expect candidates to make it to our yard based at HP17 8DD for 7.30am. We are usually back there for 4pm. A full driving licence will be advantageous, but an own form of transportation is essential.
Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early.
Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session:
Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to attend an Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session at Witney or Abingdon campus.
This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions. As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session, please call us on 01235 216216.
Qualification checks:
By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £7.55 per hour from April 2025. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training.
About this employer
A small, dynamic business providing high end soft landscaping, maintenance and planting schemes for private domestic gardens. We have been established since 2017. We strive to be as eco-friendly as possible, choosing to be 95% battery powered. As well as having biodiversity at the heart of all of our day to day decision making. We pride ourselves on quality and our adaptability to ensure the client gets the best possible service.
https://www.twooakslandscapes.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).
Full-time employment and following on to an opening for team manager- to lead a team, quoting jobs and organising
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