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Level 2
L2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship
COURSE OVERVIEW
For those who love the great outdoors, have an interest in plants and enjoy undertaking practical tasks Horticulture offers a very exciting and rewarding career with many different career opportunities to explore. The course offers the opportunity to learn on the job four days a week, gaining a wide range of skills and attending college 1 day a week to gain further knowledge and practical experience to underpin and strengthen what is learnt in the workplace.
Horticulture Operative pathway
The Horticulture Operative pathway is suitable for those who want to begin a career in public parks, greenspaces and gardens, gardening on private estates and in historic gardens or working for grounds maintenance companies, garden centres and retail plant nurseries.
Core learning and specialist learning
Horticulture Operative Apprentices undertaking this course receive training in core areas necessary to gain valuable horticultural understanding and skills, including general horticulture, using tools and equipment, plant knowledge, pests and diseases and environmental awareness.
Horticulture Operative apprenticeship content (specialist learning)
· Establishment and maintenance of a wide range of horticultural features including herbaceous borders, trees and shrubs, hedges, ponds and rock gardens
· Pruning a wide range of plants
· Growing plants from scratch (Plant propagation) using a range of methods
At the end of your 24 month apprenticeship, you will be assessed through an end point assessment (EPA) once you, your employer and we are satisfied you are ready. This consists of; online knowledge tests, a practical skills test and a professional discussion with the assessor. This assessment is carried out by the endpoint assessment organisation who is independent from the college. The EPA must be undertaken within a 4 month period following 24 months of the apprenticeship
FURTHER INFORMATION
Anyone working within a Horticulture/Landscaping company/business, whose job role requires dedicated training within these areas
Candidates will ideally have English language and Maths GCSE grade C/4 or above (if not they will work towards Functional Skills equivalents)
Apprentices must be in paid employment in the relevant industry to cover the requirements of the standard and will ideally work at least 30 hours per week. Assessments need to be taken to determine suitability for the Apprenticeship and to look at additional support if required. The Apprentice must have a contract of employment and be covered under their employer’s relevant insurance.
Please note: You will be required to produce your GCSE certificates BEFORE you start your course to be exempt from attending Functional Skills English and Maths sessions.
See full specification here: – Horticulture or landscape operative / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Enter employment within horticulture or progression onto higher level course.
You will be assessed with a portfolio of evidence (recorded on OneFile) and complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of the course.
This programme also includes these mandatory short courses:
· L2 Award in the Safe Use and Application of Pesticides
· Level 2 Award in Safe Use and Application of Pesticides Using Handheld Equipment
· Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
This apprenticeship is typically over 24 months
* 4 days per week with employer
* 1 day per week studying at College
End Point Assessment (to be completed within 3 months)
- Professional discussion based on apprentice’;s portfolio
- Online knowledge test
- Practical assessment
There is no cost to an apprentice.
If you are an employer employing an apprentice over the age 21 (without an EHCP) then you are likely to pay 5% towards the training cost.
If you are an employer with an Apprenticeship levy (i.e. your payroll exceeds £3 Million) then you will pay in full from your levy account.
For further information on this apprenticeship please call 01243 812 948 or email apprenticeships@chigroup.ac.uk
Programme length – 24 months in training with 4 months assessment period