Landscape Operative Apprentice

  • Company: South Farm Ltd
  • Location: Royston, SG8 0HR
  • Type: Apprenticeship
  • Salary:
  • Sector: Horticulture
  • Ref: VAC-12029
  • Application Deadline Date: 23/02/2020
  • Start Date: 02/03/2020
  • Positions Available: 1
  • Working Week: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm (due to day light in winter). Total of 37.5 hours per week

Brief Description

Working as part of a small friendly team assisting with the planning and growing of fruit & vegetables in the smallholding (farm) and maintaining the formal gardens throughout the year of a successful wedding venue near Royston.

Qualifications Required

You will need a minimum of two GCSEs at grades 9-3 (A*-D), ideally including English and maths or a Level 1 equivalent.

Personal Qualities

Willing to follow instruction
Good communicator
Keen to learn
Enthusiasm and an interest in horticulture
Work well in a team

Skills Required

Physically capable and happy to work outside
Able to work with a mix of people in a team and alone
Able to follow instruction while having the confidence to question/seek clarification if unsure
Basic counting and diligence in recording
Willing to adapt to situations
Happy to work outside in all weather

Training to be Provided

Level 2 Apprenticeship in either Horticulture or Landscape Operative. Plus: Emegency First Aid at Work, Level 2 Safe use of handling and application of pesticides, Functional Skills in English & maths (if required). You will also study a range of topics to include: Health and Safety, Business Skills, Machinery, Plant and Soil Science, Plant health

Future Prospects

If the Apprenticeship has been successful for both parties then there is a high likelihood of the candidate being offered a full time position.

Vacancy Detail

Working as part of a small friendly team assisting with the planning and growing of fruit & vegetables in the smallholding (farm) and maintaining the formal gardens throughout the year of a successful wedding venue near Royston. The food grown onsite is used for the wedding venues which has a turn over of over 20,000 meals a year served from our onsite kitchen.

Working as part of a small friendly team assisting with the planning and growing of fruit & vegetables in the smallholding (farm) and maintaining the formal gardens throughout the year of a successful wedding venue near Royston. The food grown onsite is used for the wedding venues which has a turn over of over 20,000 meals a year served from our onsite kitchen.
The role would involve working closely with the senior grower and Estate Manager ensuring sufficient produce is sown and potted into poly tunnels and vegetable beds whilst ensuring the best growing conditions are maintained at all times.

Maintaining the formal gardens all year round for guests and visitors which may involve:

• Mowing lawns
• Hedge trimming and strimming
• Element of tree maintenance and pond maintenance around the site
• Planting in the formal garden areas
• Planting and maintenance in the smallholding


We would like someone who is able to follow instruction whilst being confident to question/seek clarification if unsure. Basic counting and diligence in recording/harvesting records.

Other Information

We are a rural location with no public transport links- own transportation is essential.
A hand rotavator, power scythe may be used in the smallholding. We need to harvest even in extreme weather conditions.

This apprenticeship has expired