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What will apprentices learn?

• Industry understanding; the importance and benefits of green-space and the types of horticultural skills appropriate to different businesses and cultural sites.

• Business; business policies, vision and values. Workers’ contribution to earning profit and awareness of commercial pressure. Understanding of how project management informs a team to achieve objectives.

• Communication; the importance of clear communication. Knowledge of different forms of communication aids and their use. The value of effective and timely communication in customer care.

• Health and safety; health and safety regulation, legislation, policy and procedure and the responsibility of workers. Knowledge of hazards and working to strict health, safety, quality and environmental (HSQE) processes particularly appropriate to horticultural sites.

• Environmental; waste and waste reduction and recycling and environmental best practice. Prevention and control of local pollution incidents.

• Plant growth and development; plant nutrition and plant requirements. The principles of germination, photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration (the science of plant growth). How to care for plants correctly in different environments. The relationship between environmental conditions and plant growth.

• Tools, equipment and machinery; correct tools, equipment and machinery required for the job and the importance of maintenance and regular checks of these items to ensure they remain in good working order. Legal requirement of training by a competent person and familiarity with operator training and certification requirements.

Working and learning in the horticulture and landscape industries is rewarding, offers a diverse range of employment and further training opportunities.

Applicants are likely to have 4 GCSEs A*- C / 9 - 4, including Maths and English, or equivalent, and will need to demonstrate the ability to achieve all elements of the apprenticeship during their programme, including working in a suitable job role.

Free to apprentices. This apprenticeship has a £6,000 funding band. Small companies will need to make a contribution of £300; large companies could pay through the apprenticeship levy if they have funds available.

Qualifications included:

•Level 1 Functional Skills in English and Maths

•Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid

•Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides

•Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment

•Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship

What skills will apprentices gain?

• Communication; communicate with others, including clients, the public and colleagues, this may require basic IT systems use.

• Team working; work alone and as part of a team effectively and recognise how all staff are dependent on each other to meet business objectives.

• Health and safety; apply relevant health and safety processes and procedures. Implement specific industry information on hazards relevant to horticultural environments. Follow safe systems of work and safety information provided by employer. Implement environmental protection policies and procedures.

• Environmental; prevent and control local pollution incidents e.g. use of spill kits.

• Planting, plant growth and development; care for plants correctly in different environments, including basic irrigation methods, planting methods and identifying plant deficiencies. Install various soft-landscape materials e.g. shrubs, trees, herbaceous, bedding, grass areas and seed. This will include site preparation, planting, sowing, turfing, preparation of seed beds and mulching.

What behaviours will apprentices develop?

• Health and safety; have a safety-led mind-set for self, colleagues and the public.

• Customer care; show dignity, respect and empathy when dealing with others, including clients, the public and colleagues.

• Learn: learn behaviours, skills and knowledge effectively from craftspeople and managers.

• Attitude; have a positive and motivated attitude towards work, including having pride in one’s work.

• Decision making; adopt a pragmatic timely approach by identifying appropriate solutions to practical problems.