Intermediate Apprenticeship (Level 2) Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative
Role overview
This occupation is found in a wide range of outdoor spaces with horticultural spaces including public parks and gardens, green spaces, schools, tourist attractions, business and retail parks, historic gardens, private gardens, and estates. Some organisations own the horticultural space such as public gardens and private estates. Some will work on a variety of spaces belonging to other people such as domestic gardens, construction sites, retail and business parks. Employers may be charities, commercial businesses or governmental organisations and range in size from micro businesses through to large employers. Many organisations will be specialised in their activities, such as grounds maintenance or landscape construction.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to undertake practical operations required to create and maintain horticultural spaces. This includes both the soft aspects (plants and soil) and the hard elements (surfaces, features and structures). Some will carry out the full range of operations from landscape construction through to maintenance, although the majority will focus on one specialism due to the breadth of skills required. Horticultural specialists maintain soft and hard elements of the space. This will include planting and maintenance activities.
Horticulture or landscape construction operatives frequently work outdoors year-round and in all weathers. They sometimes work at heights for example pruning taller plants and hedges. Horticulture or landscape operatives will require qualifications and or training to undertake activities such as use of machinery.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with supervisors and colleagues. Depending upon the employer they will interact with clients, members of the public, other trades and landowners.
Entry requirements
Apprentices aged 16 to 18 at the start of their training are required to achieve English and maths qualifications to complete their apprenticeship, if they do not already hold suitable equivalent qualifications. Apprentices who do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification in either English or maths or both subjects are funded to achieve up to an approved level 2 qualification in these subjects.
Apprentices aged 19+ at the start of their training can also be funded to study up to an approved level 2 qualification in English or maths or both, if they do not already hold suitable equivalent qualifications and their employer agrees that this should be part of their training plan.
Qualifications obtained
L2 Apprenticeship Horticulture or landscape construction operative (Horticulture Pathway)
Programme includes
Apprentices develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to create and maintain outdoor spaces from parks and gardens to estates, business sites, and public areas.
You’ll learn how to:
• Prepare, plant, and care for a variety of plants, turf, and landscapes
• Build and maintain hard landscaping features such as paths, walls, and garden structures
• Operate and maintain tools, equipment, and machinery safely
• Control weeds and pests, manage vegetation, and promote plant health
• Work to environmental, biosecurity, and health & safety standards
• Keep accurate work records and communicate effectively with supervisors and clients
Typical roles include Gardener, Grounds Maintenance Operative, or Landscape Construction Operative.
Where can you work?
• Local authorities
• Landscape contractors
• Heritage gardens
• Private estates
• Commercial grounds teams.
Key information
Starts
- The apprenticeship programmetypically starts in November
Enrolment
- The enrolment process will be completed prior to the start date of the apprenticeship
Delivery
- The apprenticeship will delivered at Brooksby College for one day per week (Term time only)
Awarding organisation
Lantra
Progression opportunities
Team Leader / Supervisor, Senior Gardener, or Level 3 Horticulture or Landscape Supervisor Apprenticeship
Additional information
Mandatory qualifications to enter gateway
- Level 3 award or training and assessment in emergency first aid at work minimum 1 day course (face-to-face), carried out by either anawarding organisation, a UKAS accredited trade body or voluntary aid society recognised by government as specified in HSE document GEIS 3.
- (Horticulture Operative) Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides OR City and Guilds Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides
- (Horticulture Operative) Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticide Using Hand Held Equipment OR City and Guilds Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment
