Level 2 Land-Based Service Engineer Apprenticeship

Royal Horticultural Society; Wisley; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading gardening charity is seeking an Apprentice Land-Based Service Engineer at RHS Garden Wisley. The role includes practical work with horticultural machinery and a Level 2 qualification. Successful candidates will gain hands-on experience and learn vital skills in maintenance and repair. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals eager to pursue a career in horticulture. The role is full time with a salary of £23,810, and offers a blend of on-the-job training and college courses.

Benefits

Work in a beautiful garden environment

Hands-on training with experienced engineers

Opportunities for career advancement

Qualifications

• Interest in horticultural machinery engineering.
• Ability to learn practical skills for maintaining machinery.
• Must not already hold a Level 2 qualification in a similar subject.

Responsibilities

• Undertake practical work across the seasons.
• Complete a Level 2 qualification at college.
• Learn to maintain and repair horticultural machinery safely.

Skills

Practical maintenance of machinery

Horticultural knowledge

Safety practices

Education

Level 2 qualification (equivalent to GCSE)

Tools

Gardening tools and machinery

Job description

Reports To: The School of Horticulture Manager and Garden Support Services Team Leader

Location: RHS Garden Wisley

Start Date: August 2026. Two years (fixed term)

Salary: £23,810 per annum. The RHS ensure we pay all staff at or above the National Minimum Wage, which is reviewed annually by government

Hours of work: Full time (37.5 hours a week on a rota). The working pattern is 5 days in 7 so your full-time hours will include some weekend working

For this apprenticeship the college delivery is blended, meaning that you will attend college as a combination of day release (which will involve regular travel) and online learning

About the Apprenticeship

Do you think a career in horticultural machinery engineering could be for you? Are you interested in learning the practical skills to maintain machinery but new to the industry?

The Level 2 Land-Based Service Engineer apprenticeship programme at RHS Garden Wisley will support you to learn and develop your knowledge and skills by working alongside our skilled and experienced engineers and associated teams in the workplace. You will be taught the knowledge and practical skills needed to maintain and repair a wide range of horticultural, agricultural and arboricultural machinery through on-the-job learning.

Alongside the training in the garden, you will also attend college to study for the Level 2 Land-Based Service Engineer Apprenticeship qualification, developing your understanding of engineering, and to embed the practical learning. On successful completion of the apprenticeship you will achieve the Level 2 Land-Based Service Engineer Apprenticeship, a nationally recognised qualification.

During the apprenticeship at RHS Garden Wisley, you will

• Carry out practical work, in all weathers and across the seasons
• Complete a Level 2 qualification at college (equivalent to GCSE level)
• Learn how to use appropriate techniques to maintain and service tools and machinery which is used to cultivate, establish and care for our plant collections all year round
• Develop the knowledge and skills to service, maintain and repair a wide range of horticultural, agricultural and arboricultural machinery
• Work safely and sustainably

Spend time with the Garden Support Services Team Leader and associated teams. For more details on the range of garden areas you would work in visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/garden-highlights

These experiences and the skills you learn will equip you for professional life in the industry and start your career in Land-Based Service Engineering.

Benefits of Working for the RHS

To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet.

And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference. Our careers portal provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.

You can also learn about the range of careers in Land-Based Service Engineering by visiting https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/careers-horticulture,nlbc.uk/careers/land-based-careers/engineering-careersor www.lantra.co.uk/careers/Industry/Land-basedEngineering

Safeguarding and Inclusion

The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Further Information

To apply for any work-based training position with the RHS School of Horticulture you must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the placement, the RHS are unable to sponsor visa applications for these positions.

Due to government funding rules, to be eligible for the apprenticeship:

• Applicants must not already hold a Level 2 qualification in a similar subject or have more than 12 months of practical experience in the industry.
• UK nationals, citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or with Pre-Settled Status through the EU Settlement Scheme and those with the right to abode must have been resident in the UK for at least the previous three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship.

Key dates

We may review applications as soon as we receive them so if you see a vacancy that you are interested in, please apply straight away as the vacancy will be closed as soon as we receive sufficient applications.

Applications close 22nd February 2026
Interviews to be held 18th March 2026

For further information, or if you require any additional support with making your application, please email [e-mail] details of the position you are applying for.

Apply here: RHS Apprenticeships / RHS