Apprentice Landscape Gardener SOLENT GARDEN SERVICES LTD

The role will involve a variety of hard / soft landscaping and garden maintenance.

The apprentice will work on a combination of:

• Paving projects (natural stone and porcelain)


• Decking (timber and composite)


• Installation of lawns (turf and artificial)


• Fencing


• Maintenance of gardens / grounds


The garden maintenance varies from large private gardens and commercial grounds.

It is an opportunity to join an established company working on some very exciting and some high profile projects.

The training you will be getting

Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard.

Emergency First Aid.

PA1 PA6.

Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths must achieve Level 1 and take the test for Level 2 before taking the end-point assessment.

Apprentices will need to achieve the EPA's to achieve their apprenticeship:

On-line knowledge assessment - a 60-minute online test containing 40 multiple choice questions.

Practical assessment EPA - a range of 4 practical activities taking no more than six hours undertaken in controlled conditions with responses to verbal questioning from the Independent End Point Assessor. The apprentice will undertake three core tasks and one task from the optional route - Horticulture or Landscaping.

Professional Discussion EPA - An hour-long professional discussion under controlled conditions between the EPA and the apprentice to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge

You will be required to attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis to learn about horticulture, to include:

Health and Safety
Use and maintain non-powered and handheld powered equipment
Use and maintain pedestrian controlled equipment
Environment protection
Plant identification and nomenclature - Latin and common
Vegetation control
Soil science and cultivation
Plant establish and maintenance
Plant grown
Plant health
Establish and maintain amenity areas
Survey and mark out sites for landscaping features
Construct hard landscape features
Maintain hard landscape features

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

The opportunity to learn both garden maintenance and landscaping skills which will give the candidate the flexibility to work in both areas of the industry.

Once qualified the individual will become a full member of the team with the chance to progress to a team leader in the future.

Communication skills, Customer care skills, Number skills, Logical, Team working, Creative, Initiative, Physical fitness, an interest in landscaping, self motivated, can do attitude, reliable and punctual, aptitude for learning, GCSE or equivalent English (Grade C (4) or above) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade C (4) or above) Essential, Horticulture or landscape construction operative

Level 2 (GCSE)

John founded Solent Garden Services in 1973 following his apprenticeship with Hilliers. Since then he has worked hard to develop the business and build our excellent local reputation. Rob is the driving force of Solent Garden Services, after taking the lead from his father John. Rob is responsible for the day to day management and is proud to build on the excellent work done since 1973! Rob has been over seeing the day to day running of the business for the past 10 years. He is passionate about the family business and work they undertake.

You could reduce your training time, or finish your apprenticeship faster, if you have relevant prior learning or experience. This could be relevant:

• training


• qualifications, like an NVQ in a relevant field


• industry or sector experience