Apprenticeship - Horticulture

How you'll make a difference

As an apprentice, you’ll make a difference by providing our residents with quality public parks and green spaces that are managed in environmentally sustainable ways. 

What will you be doing?
You will start your day at 07:30 where the day’s work will be planned. You’ll learn how to make a visual inspection of the park and clear any litter and empty bins.  You’ll learn how to replant a display bed, work in the greenhouse and cutting the lawns. You’ll also get to visit one of our many high streets to weed and maintain bedding displays.  On other days you will be helping to shape up formal hedges or clearing leaf fall from the parks. You’ll also get to learn how to cultivate and prepare for seeding and planting, maintaining general amenity turf and decorative amenity areas. You’ll also understand how to use and maintain both powered and non-powered tools and equipment, whilst learning the importance of health and safety and managing your own personal performance. Throughout your 18 month apprenticeship, we will allocate you a workplace mentor to give you guidance and support in completing your Level 2 in Horticulture Operative. Things we need you to know: All candidates that successfully reach the interview stages will be required to provide a 10 minute presentation as part of the recruitment process. Candidates who do not provide a presentation at interview will not proceed through the recruitment process. The salary for this apprenticeship is set at the current Age National Minimum Wage (effective from April );

Age

Hourly Rate

Annual Salary

Aged 21+

£11.44

£22,071

Aged 18-20

£8.60

£16,592

Under 18

£6.40

£12,347

The apprenticeship training requires you to attend weekly day release on a Monday at Wiltshire College, Lackham Park, Chippenham, SN15 2NY. The council will cover your travel expenses to the college.

To successfully complete the apprenticeship you will be required to complete an end point assessment that consists of a Practical Assessment, Professional Discussion and Online Knowledge Assessment.

For further detail about this apprenticeship, please download the job description.

What we need from you

Ideally you will have an English and Maths qualification at grade D or 3 and above, or equivalent, or be willing to work towards gaining Level 2 in English and Maths. You will need to have good attention to detail and be able to work well as part of a team. Have a keen interest and passion for Horticulture and Landscaping. You must have a good work ethic and commitment to gaining your qualification as well as your learning on the job and your employment.

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