This course is a part-time work-based apprenticeship for learners who want to gain hands-on practical skills whilst employed in a work-based industry.
Work is generally outside throughout the year, so apprentices frequently work outside in all weathers. Often, people new to the industry will cover a range of hands-on practical tasks with specialist skills learned over 24 months, attending college one day a week.
You will focus on the training specification detailed in the ‘What I’ll Learn’ section below.
The tutors, staff, and performance coaches are highly qualified in their industries. The College provides a plant nursery, library facilities and computer rooms.
Working and learning in both horticulture and landscape industries is very rewarding, offering diverse employment opportunities and including a range of transferable skills into many other industries.
What you'll learn
The training specification over the duration of the course will cover the following units:
Unit 1) Health and safety: Being able to identify potential hazards and manage the risks, manual handling, basic first aid, responsibilities to employer and employee understanding legislation relevant to your industry.
Unit 2) Communication: The importance of clear communication and different forms of communication aids and their uses: emails, phone calls, direct contact.
Unit 3) Industry understanding: The importance and benefits of green space in the community and environment, wellbeing, wildlife, and climate. The diversity of businesses within the industry
Unit 4) Business: understanding your organisation, use of IT skills, keeping records, teamwork, awareness of commercial pressure, working safely on site with the public.
Unit 5) Use and maintain non-powered and handheld powered equipment: Using the correct tools, and machinery in your industry, the importance of maintenance and regular checks to ensure they remain in good working order.
Unit 6) Use and maintain pedestrian-controlled powered equipment: Use of lawnmowers, rotovators, strimmers and hedge trimmers, working safely to minimise environmental damage and methods to dispose of waste.
Unit 7) Environmental: controlling sources of pollution, fuel spills, oil, pesticide entering water protected species, recognising invasive species. Reducing waste products, recycling, and environmental best practices.
Unit 8) Plant identification and classification: scientific names including genus, species, and cultivar. Knowing why and how plants are identified.
Unit 9) Vegetation control: How to control and methods used for site clearance including prevention and control measures for pests and diseases on work sites.
Unit 10) Soil Science and Cultivation: Why, when, and how to cultivate soils, different growing media and mulches, and ways to modify soil for plant growth, cultivation, and drainage.
Unit 11) Plant Establishment and Maintenance: Sowing seeds, in open ground, laying turf, planting out plants and aftercare requirements, including feeding and mulching, looking at different pruning methods for different plants.
Unit 12) Plant growth and development : How to manage plants correctly in different environments: basic understanding of the science behind plant growth, roots, stems leaves and flowers and their development. The relationship between environmental conditions and plant growth
Unit 13) Plant health: be able to identify and manage pests, diseases, and disorders. undertake biosecurity measures to prevent transmission of pests and diseases.
Unit 17) Plant propagation: understanding propagation techniques and growing media, using a range of plant material grown from vegetative generative (seed) materials and propagation methods used for storage.
Unit 18) Establish and maintain amenity areas: How to cultivate and maintain a decorative amenity area covering replacement planting, pruning techniques, watering and general maintenance on hedges, borders, and water features.
Unit 19) Ornamental turf: Looking at a range of different grass swards, domestic, fine, rough, recreational and meadow grassland, be able to use a range of machinery to manage turf surfaces.
Unit 20) Behaviours: 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.
How you'll learn and be assessed
Practical lessons will involve hands-on experience with plants, gardening tools, and equipment. You will develop your skills with pruning, propagation techniques, soil preparation and pest control. These sessions will provide you with valuable opportunities to develop your skills and confidence while working with plants.
You will cover the fundamental concepts of horticulture, plant physiology and soil science. Computer workshops focus on developing IT skills. Each learner will be given their own electronic portfolio where they can document their learning journey. You would be expected to upload diary entries reflecting on your work experiences, along with presentations and plant profiles on plants you have worked with to help you learn about scientific plant naming.
Off-the-Job training refers to learning activities that take place outside of your regular work duties; attending college, learning new skills or additional courses related to your industry.
Maths and English
If you did not achieve a grade 2 in your GCSEs, you will need to undertake and pass a Level 1 exam and then attempt an L2. If you achieved a grade 3, you will need to attempt an L3 exam during the apprenticeship.
EPA can only be taken after the conditions of the Assessment Gateway have been successfully achieved:
Emergency first aid
Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work pesticides: NPTC City & Guilds, L 2 Principles of safe Handling and Applications of Pesticides Guidance (Pa1) and L2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides (Pa6)
Gateway to end point assessment
On conclusion the above assessment for the gateway requirements have been achieved, in your final year you will be able to proceed to the end-point assessment stage of the apprenticeship. It is expected that you complete the assessment gateway requirements within three months of your planned apprenticeship completion.
EPA Consists of:
- Online Knowledge Test
- Synoptic Practical Assessment
- Professional Discussion
Progression
With experience you could: continue with you current Job and progress into a management role, become a supervisor/Forman or manager, or set up your own business.
On completion you could consider opportunities such as a PPG (professional Gardeners Guild), a three-year traineeship programme in horticultural practices to further development and commitment to professional horticulture
The (Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP) which is managed by English Heritage. The HBGTP is an unrivalled opportunity for passionate individuals committed to establishing a career in horticulture.
Entry requirements
The college requires you to undergo an initial assessment and a formal interview with the performance coach to see if you meet the requirements of the course and discuss your aspirations and what you are hoping to achieve.
You will need to be employed in relevant position and hold a grade 2 or above) in maths and English. For those with an education, health and care plan, a minimum requirement is an Entry Level 3 qualification.
Additional information
Apprentices will spend time outdoors each week in both practical sessions and their work experience, and so will need to attend College with suitable outdoor clothing, work gloves and safety boots. Secateurs, tape measures and other tools will be provided by the College during practical tasks, though it can be useful for a student to consider bringing their own.
