Horticulture

• Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship in Work-Based Horticulture
• Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Horticulture

The Diploma in Work-Based Horticulture focuses upon the principles and practices of horticulture in a work-based environment.  You will be able to start or progress your career in your chosen area of horticulture.

The Diploma in Work-based Horticulture within the framework has a number of routes and depending on the sub-sector apprentices are working in, there are a range of jobs, eg horticultural technician, garden designer, gardener, greenkeeper, grounds person, horticultural garden centre worker/manager, landscaper/landscape manager.

In addition to mandatory units you choose specialist pathways which are relevant to you and your employer.    There are a wide range of units to choose from such as: use and maintain ride on powered equipment, clearing horticultural and landscaping sites, plant nomenclature, terminology and identification.

Following completion of the level 2 Apprenticeship, learners can progress onto an Advanced Apprenticeship, where you will gain basic management and supervisory skills, or through vocational courses at a land-based college.

*PLEASE NOTE enrolment for the above will cease in December 2019 and the new standard outlined below is now coming into effect.

• Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard (England only) Level 2 Horticulture & Landscape Operative

The new ‘standard apprenticeship’ has been designed by employers to set out the core skills, knowledge and behaviours required by the industry to train horticultural operatives to an agreed standard.

Horticulture and Landscape Operatives can be employed to work in public parks and gardens, green spaces, historic gardens, private gardens, estates or in production nurseries and retail outlets. Many businesses will be specialised in their activities, such as grounds maintenance (soft-landscape) or landscape construction (hard-landscape).

The distinct nature of these two specialisms means very few businesses can offer the full breadth of skills and therefore two options are available for this occupation; horticulture and landscape construction. The employment area will dictate the option pursued.

Working and learning in the horticulture and landscape industries is rewarding, offers a diverse range of employment opportunities and includes a range of skills that are transferrable into many other industries.

Prior to registering for the required ’End Point Assessment’ (EPA) successful candidates will record their learning journey in a portfolio of evidence and complete the Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work and the Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides.  Apprentices without level 2 English or maths must achieve level 1 and take the tests for level 2.

When the apprentice demonstrates to both the employer and the college that they have both reached the standards required and can put their skills and knowledge together and consistently do the job effectively, they will be registered for EPA.

The EPA is based on three components; an online knowledge test, three practical assessments and a professional discussion based on the apprentice’s portfolio of evidence.

Following completion of the Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard, learners can progress onto the Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard, where they will gain basic management and supervisory skills, or through vocational courses at a land-based college.