Apprentice Gardener

Wiltshire College & University Centre; Chippenham; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Wiltshire College & University Centre as an Apprentice Gardener. This exciting two-year apprenticeship at the beautiful Lackham campus offers hands-on experience in garden design and maintenance while you gain valuable horticultural skills. With a focus on teamwork and learning, you'll work across multiple campuses, supported by experienced staff. Your passion for the outdoors and eagerness to learn will allow you to grow your career in horticulture with potential progression to higher qualifications.

Benefits

30 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays)

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee assistance programme (EAP)

Discounts with various retailers

Free onsite car parking

Qualifications

• Passion for horticulture and working outdoors.
• Eagerness to learn a broad range of gardening skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop the gardens and arboretums.
• Assist with glasshouse care and plant propagation.
• Support the upkeep of grounds across additional campuses.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Horticulture passion

Education

Level 1 English & Maths qualifications

Job description

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Wiltshire College & University Centre have a great opportunity for an Apprentice Gardener to join our team.

Location: Lackham, Wiltshire with travel to all campuses

Salary: Salary: £14,566 per annum - Your hourly rate of pay will increase within your second year of apprenticeship from the national apprenticeship wage to the national minimum wage for your age group. Please visit the Government website for the current pay rates National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Job Type: This is a fixed term, two-year apprenticeship study programme, Full Time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year) including 1 day per week at college.

About Us:

Wiltshire College & University Centre plays a vital role in Wiltshire’s economy, inspiring people to develop the skills they need to achieve. Our four campuses are learning hubs in their communities, and we aspire to be an outstanding, financially robust, and commercially agile provider, achieving our clear social mission on behalf of learners and employers across Wiltshire and beyond. Our turnover is around £42 million per annum, we employ some 650 staff, and support around 11,500 students.

Apprentice Gardener – The Role:

Are you passionate about plants, the outdoors, and learning new skills? Wiltshire College & University Centre is looking for a motivated and conscientious Apprentice Gardener to join our Grounds Team based at our beautiful Lackham campus.

Situated on a historic Georgian estate, the Lackham campus features stunning formal gardens, arboretums, and green spaces. As part of the team, you’ll gain hands-on experience in garden design, maintenance, glasshouse care, and plant propagation. Plus, you'll have the unique opportunity to contribute to the upkeep of our other campuses in Chippenham, Trowbridge, and Salisbury on a weekly rotational basis.

Apprentice Gardener – Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and develop the gardens and arboretums on our picturesque campus
• Assist with glasshouse care and plant propagation projects
• Support the weekly upkeep of grounds across our three additional campuses
• Learn from experienced team members who have progressed through the apprenticeship program

Apprentice Gardener – You:

What you will bring:

• A passion for horticulture and enthusiasm for working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Eagerness to learn and develop a broad range of practical gardening skills
• Team player with the ability to work independently when required
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work
• Organised with solid communication skills, both verbal and written
• You must have English & Maths qualifications at level 1 or above

This apprenticeship offers an incredible opportunity to grow your horticultural skills while being part of a supportive and collaborative team. You’ll attend college one day per week as part of the program, with the potential to progress onto Level 3 qualifications. With guidance from team members who have successfully transitioned from apprentices to full-time employees, you’ll have every opportunity to develop your career.

Apply now and be a part of our thriving grounds team!

• 30days' annual leave for Professional Services Staff (plus bank holidays and additional closure days over the Christmas period).
• You will be automatically enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• You will have access to our employee assistance programme (EAP) and enjoy other benefits such as discounts with a wide variety of retailers.
• Free car parking onsite.

Apprentice Gardener – Application Process:

Wiltshire College & University Centre follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education.’ This involves conducting enhanced DBS checks, including checks against the children’s barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates.

We embrace diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and cultures individuals from different backgrounds bring. Committed to safeguarding, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we pledge to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy and assess them based on their abilities.

To submit your application for this exciting Apprentice Gardener opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now.

Applications for this role close on the 27th June 2025.

PLEASE NOTE:

Your Application Form will be shortlisted against how your skills, qualifications and experience match the Essential and Desirable points on the Person Specification for this role, located at the bottom of this page as a downloadable document.

Vacancies may close early if sufficient applications have been received; therefore, we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.