Apprentice Horticulturist in Windsor

At The Crown Estate, we actively manage a diverse portfolio across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to create lasting and shared prosperity for the nation. We manage the whole of the Windsor Estate, encompassing some 15,800 acres, where our role as long-term custodians is nowhere more apparent. Windsor is one of the country’s most unique and important environmental and ecological sites. It is an ancient Royal landscape of forests, grasslands, lakes and gardens with 1,000 years of history including historical monuments, rare wildlife and National Collections of plants and Champion Trees.

This is a learning and development role to gain knowledge, skills and experience to become a qualified horticulturist. The apprenticeship typically lasts 24 months and leads to a Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship qualification upon successful completion.

What you’ll be doing

You will work as part of a team of professionals across three gardens: The Savill Garden, the Valley Gardens and Frogmore delivering the highest horticultural standards. Each garden has a different character and plant collection, and you will support the team by undertaking a range of activities including hedge cutting, mowing, strimming, weeding and pruning. You will be expected to comply with health and safety legislation and safe working practices and undertake on and off the job training to a set programme. Working alongside a team of professionals on tasks specific to your apprenticeship, you will develop the skills and knowledge relevant to the apprenticeship standard. This apprenticeship will be delivered through a blended learning model involving a balance of taught online activities, webinars, and tutorials covering theoretical knowledge requirements and on-campus workshop time to hone your practical skills.

About you

We are looking for people who can demonstrate their communication and problem-solving skills and are able to work well in a team and demonstrate attention to detail. Experience is not essential, but any practical or manual work experience would be helpful. In addition, we are looking for people who:

• Demonstrate interest in horticulture, The Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park
• Show commitment to maintaining health and safety standards
• Are willing and able to work outdoors in all weathers
• Show commitment to completing the apprenticeship programme
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and a willingness to learn
• Demonstrate strong customer service focus and work well as part of a team
• Demonstrate The Crown Estate values and behaviours consistently including working together, being honest and respectful, taking responsibility, and looking for better ways of working
• Take a flexible and adaptable approach to supporting the team

Eligibility criteria

• GCSE in English and Maths at Grade 4 or above
• Aged 16 or over and have completed year 11
• Not in full-time education
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Able to travel to Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA), Maidenhead SL6 6QR one day per week

Other requirements

• Able to travel to Windsor Great Park – our working hours are 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
• Security clearance in addition to standard BPSS checks must be maintained for this role
• The role holder must be able to work two weekends each year to support the wider Estate. Overtime or time off in lieu will be offered
• The role holder must be able to undertake a largely manual role working outdoors in all weathers

What we offer

• Salary aligned to the Living Wage
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• 28 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays
• Private health care
• Life assurance
• Choice of two pension schemes
• Discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes
• Rental deposit scheme
• Employee Assistance programme
• Cycle to work loan

Our recruitment process

Stage 1: Attach a document to your application responding to the following questions: Why do you want to work for The Crown Estate at Windsor? (max 250 words) Considering the eight essential skills below, which one would you identify as a strength? Please include a detailed example of when you have effectively demonstrated your chosen skill. (max 300 words). Visit skillsbuilder.org/universal-framework to explore the full Skills Builder Framework. Essential skills - Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Adapting, Planning, Leadership, Teamwork.

Stage 2: Selection Day at Windsor Great Park on the 25th June.

Stage 3: Interview in person at Windsor Great Park, w/c 6th July. Candidates must be available to attend the selection day on 25th June if successful at stage 1.

Our goal is to build a truly diverse team and incorporate diversity into everything we do – enabling our people to thrive in a collaborative and inclusive culture. We are keen to ensure diversity of thought and lived experience at The Crown Estate, so want to use this as an opportunity to broaden the range of skills, experience and perspectives represented in our teams, and ensure that we continue to be led by our commitment to inclusion so that we can fulfil our purpose for the communities we serve.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long-term condition and need us to make any adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting Roxy Flack via email on roxy.flack@thecrownestate.co.uk.