Garden Apprentice

Summary Grow your career with an Apprenticeship with the National Trust Garden team.

Further information on the Apprenticeship Standard Horticulture or landscape operative level 2
- What do you understand about the Apprenticeship scheme?
- What do you know about the National Trust, and what attracts you to this role?
- What skills do you think would be the most important for a Garden Apprentice?

**This can lead to an assistant gardener or gardener role and potentially move to an L3 Horticulture Supervisor apprenticeship after the additional experience.**

What it's like to work here We employ more than 600 gardeners, from Apprentices and Assistant Gardeners to Head Gardeners and Garden Managers We care for over 200 gardens and 190 historic parklands reflecting 500 years of UK garden history. Our gardens arehome to the largest plant collection in Europe. Our gardeners are responsible for the conservation and development of our gardens and plant collections for an increasing number of members and visitors. We also support people’s access to nature and heritagethrough partner projects within our city centres. Our gardeners are responsible for their care, conservation and regular maintenance to share with our ever expanding audience.

This country house, romantic garden and fairy-tale castle are set within a beautiful wooded estate. Scotney Castle is a big growth property in the region, with the team working to improve the visitor experience and facilities. Family-friendly activitiesat the site include a natural play trail, den building and summer adventures. You'll need your own transport to get here, however this is an exciting time to join the team within a fast-changing and innovative location.

There are regular garden tours for visitors to get involved in and a beautiful walled garden growing vegetables and cut flowers. This is A Site of Special Scientific Interest with green-winged orchids and rare plants abound in the wild grass meadows.

What you'll be doing

You’ll be working with your Trust Line Manager/ Mentor on tasks specific to your apprenticeship, as part of the wider team, and working outdoors in all weathers. You’ll attend, and prepare for, monthly review meetings with your Provider Mentor and be accountablefor your progression concerning the Apprenticeship Standard. You’ll be required to complete and upload relevant evidence to the appropriate e-portfolio system to document your progress and maintain timesheets for Off-the-Job training. You’ll abide by the Trust’sways of working and uphold our Values and Behaviours. You’ll be required to complete mandatory e-learning courses and training and prepare for exams if applicable.You’ll need to attend six block weeks of training at our nominated college for your garden,with all travel, food and accommodation costs covered.

***Please also read the complete role profile attached to this advert.**

Who we're looking for Applications will be assessed against the below criteria, as well as the content of your cover letter

The minimum standards required for this role are:

- Team player with the ability to work independently or as part of a wider team
- Keen to learn, be committed to self-development and enthusiastic about acquiring new skills
- A genuine passion for gardening, nature and the outdoors
- Good attention to detail
- 2 GCSEs at grades D/3 including English and maths or equivalent

The package The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audienceswe serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you - and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

- Flexible working whenever possible
- Free parking at most locations
- Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.