Horticulture Apprenticeship

We have a vacancy for an enthusiastic individual to join the Leonardslee garden team as an Apprentice. You will work alongside the team to learn all aspects of looking after this wonderful woodland garden and preserving its historic plant collection for the enjoyment of the gardens many visitors.

The gardens at Leonardslee are currently looked after by a team of 14 gardeners and you will work alongside them to develop your skills. You will have a designated supervisor who will help you to get the most from your work experience and who will support you throughout your time at Leonardslee. The supervisor will also help you to find and secure any off-site training as necessary to give you a well-rounded work experience. Additional learning and development opportunities include regular plant identification tests toolbox talks from the team and visits to other gardens.

You will be very involved with the on-going restoration and improvement of the gardens spending most of your time outdoors. Examples of ongoing projects are restoring the historic Rock Garden re-instating sandstone walls and path edges helping to improve the planting around the estate mansion and adding thousands of spring bulbs. Your jobs may include garden maintenance tasks such as weeding and leaf clearing watering plants mulching mowing and other lawn care hedge cutting and strimming as well as supporting the team in propagating new plants. Youll assist with the planting and maintenance of trees shrubs herbaceous plants and our famous collections of rare and unusual plants. You will also help to maintain the lakes including controlling weed growth and maintaining natural habitats for wildlife.

Desired skills

Keen interest in gardening and an appreciation for the natural environment

Desired qualifications

Minimum entry-level national apprenticeship scheme standards requirements

Desired personal qualities

• Positive attitude
• Eagerness to learn
• Hard-working and conscientious
• Practical
• Reliable and adaptable team worker

Expected Duration:

24 Months beginning in September / October 2025

Working Week:

1. Mon Fri summer hours 07.30 16.30 winter hours 07.45 16.00
2. 4 days per week at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in Lower Beeding Horsham with 1 day a week tuition time at Brinsbury College Pulborough.

7.55/hour in the first year rising to the National Minimum Wage in the second year.