Horticulture or Landscape Operative Apprenticeship

Introduction

The team at Saint Michaels Mount are excited to be offering an opportunity for a motivated individual to join them as a Horticulture and Landscaping Operative Apprentice. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the industry and learn new skills.

About the Employer

St Michael’s Mount is part of the St Aubyn Estates and is cared for in partnership with the National Trust. It is a unique historic and visitor attraction located off the coast of Cornwall. The Mount welcomes visitors throughout the year and offers a wide range of experiences, including the historic castle, gardens, visitor facilities and events. Working at St Michael’s Mount provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in a historic and busy visitor environment, while being part of a team that helps care for and share this special place with the public.

The gardens on the mount consist of 20 acres of woodland, lawn and formal gardens. Included in that are the subtropical terraced gardens, which is the main visitor focus during the season. The gardening team consists of 3 full-time gardeners and 2 part-time gardeners sharing a job role. We cater to thousands of visitors each year and work full time maintaining not just the gardens but the island as whole.

What You'll Do

• Responsibility for all garden/groundwork including grass cutting (tractor/lawnmower), strimming, weed control, hedges, flowerbeds and plants/shrubs.
• Landscape maintenance.
• Learning the names of the plant collection and how to correctly care for them.
• Interacting with other members of staff and visitors and working in a busy visitor attraction atmosphere.
• Working in the glasshouse and laying out area. Learning about propagation and aftercare for plants that will be used in the gardens
• Typical daily tasks will include, but not be limited to:

• Assist with the day-to-day management and development of the garden, taking delegated responsibility for aspects of the planned work.

• Assist with in-house garden training.

• Ensure the highest standards of conservation, horticulture and visitor experience.

• Undertake a full range of practical horticultural work to develop the garden and contribute to the delivery of projects that enhance the garden.

• Develop your own horticultural skills and knowledge, including plant identification and propagation and support other team members to do the same.

• Assist in propagation and after care of plants.

•  Engage with visitors to the garden to deliver the best possible visitor experience.

• Plan and implement work with visitor access and their interest in mind.

• Provide a great service to all our external and internal customers. 

Training Outcome

• Further education in horticulture

• Jobs in commercial gardens or amenities.

• Self-employed gardener or landscape gardener.

• Gardner in private gardens or estate.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - English - 3 / D
• Essential - GCSE - Maths - 3 / D

Course Information

Course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: 08:00 - 05:00

Expected Duration: 1 Year 6 Months

Training Provider: CORNWALL COLLEGE