Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative

Knowledge: Industry understanding: the importance and benefits of green-space and the types of horticultural skills appropriate to different businesses and cultural sites. Business: business policies, vision and values. Workers� contribution to earning profit and awareness of commercial pressure. Understanding of how project management informs a team to achieve objectives. Communication: the importance of clear communication. Knowledge of different forms of communication aids and their use. The value of effective and timely communication in customer care. Health and safety: health and safety regulation, legislation, policy and procedure and the responsibility of workers. Knowledge of hazards and working to strict health, safety, quality and environmental (HSQE) processes particularly appropriate to horticultural sites. Environmental: waste and waste reduction/recycling and environmental best practice. Prevention and control of local pollution incidents. Plant growth and development: plant nutrition and plant requirements. The principles of germination, photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration (the science of plant growth). How to care for plants correctly in different environments. The relationship between environmental conditions and plant growth. Tools, equipment and machinery: correct tools, equipment and machinery required for the job and the importance of maintenance / regular checks of these items to ensure they remain in good working order. Legal requirement of training by a competent person and familiarity with operator training and certification requirements. Vegetation control: how to control vegetation and methods of site clearance and removal of vegetation. Biosecurity: biosecurity and phytosanitary measures for pests and diseases and how these apply to work sites. Awareness of invasive alien species that may impact work methods. Plant identification: plant identification by scientific names including genus, species and cultivar. Know why and how plants are identified. Soil science: why, when and how to cultivate soils for differing purposes. Different growing media and mulches. How to modify soils for plant growth and understand the reasons for cultivation and drainage. Plant health: basic pest & disease identification/symptoms and control methods. Additional landscape knowledge: Methods used to measure and set out a site e.g. use of tape measures and measuring wheels, defining features by using string lines or aerosol markers, the principles in defining site levels using manual or electrical equipment. Marking out hazards such as services. Interpretation of construction drawings and specifications e.g. quantities, measurements and positioning. The safe use of abrasive wheels for cutting hard landscape materials during construction. Water feature construction methods e.g. linings, pumps, water courses.