Apprentice Gardener (Trinity College) in Cambridge

The role will involve work in a wide range of garden styles from formal fine lawns to herbaceous borders, woodland areas to riverside parkland and wall shrubs and climbers to nursery work. The post holder will work with the experienced team to develop the basic professional horticultural skills, uniquely centred around College Gardens, which are required to ensure maintenance of all garden areas is carried out to the highest possible standards. The successful candidate must have an energy and interest for working outdoors and in all weathers.

The Apprentice Gardener helps maintain the Gardens to the highest possible standards with tasks set out by the management team, and achieve this in a safe, environmentally sustainable and competent manner.

• Maintain a high standard of lawns within the College by using appropriate machinery within safety guidelines.
• Apply horticultural products, including fertilisers, in a safe and competent manner, to achieve good plant and soil health and support long-term biodiversity.
• Assist with the maintenance of borders, trees, hedges, containers and pots, lawns, topiary, tools and machinery, often working at height from ladders and steps, doing so in a safe manner.
• Undertake general maintenance of gardens including the tasks of mowing, pruning, digging, planting, strimming, irrigation, leafing, mulching and maintenance of paths, using appropriate machinery as directed, ensuring all duties are carried out safely and to a high standard.
• Highlight any garden related issues and problems within the gardens to the relevant personnel.

All staff must adopt a responsible attitude towards health and safety and be prepared to undertake any training provided in relation to health and safety or which is identified as necessary in relation to their work. The work includes all aspects of gardening and the job holder will be working outdoors in all weathers, undertaking physically demanding tasks, as well as fine detailed and repetitive maintenance work. The College reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the duties and requirements in the job description, which may be necessary to meet the changing needs of the role or to reflect the latest technology or best practice.

• Basic practical gardening skills.
• Basic knowledge of plants.
• Some experience of operating/maintaining garden machinery such as a mower/strimmer and hand tools (training will be given).
• An understanding and appreciation of health and safety regulations.
• Experience and willingness to work effectively in a team but also to work on their own for some periods of time.
• Ability to use basic computer packages eg email and MS Word.
• Demonstrate a keen interest in gardening and reasons for applying for this apprenticeship.
• Demonstrate a willingness to train and learn about gardening in a variety of environments, both theory and practice.
• Able to work at height in order to cut, trim and prune (training provided).
• Able to lift and carry heavy objects, within safety limits (training provided).
• Ability to communicate clearly in order to ask questions, demonstrate knowledge and explain processes.
• Appreciation and acceptance that this role will involve working outdoors and in all weathers.

• GCSE maths and English Grade C/4 or above desirable, but not essential.
• Applicants must not already hold a level 2 or higher in horticulture.

On successful completion of the Level 2 you would be eligible for a level 3.

This post is part of an intercollegiate apprenticeship scheme of up to two years. Full training will be provided by the College and a training provider, who is an industry specific training consultant. They will provide remote and onsite visits throughout the apprenticeship. The apprentice will join other apprentices from a small number of Colleges. The apprentice will work towards a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship. There will be an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of apprenticeship. Before undertaking the EPA you will need to achieve a Level 3 in Emergency First Aid at Work and Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance or Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides.