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Level 2 Horticulture Operative Standard

About the course

This qualification is suitable for anyone working in a horticulture/soft landscaping industry including the establishment and maintenance of plants and cultivated area and therefore focuses on plant propagation and plant growth. The work is generally based outside and undertaken throughout the year, so apprentices will frequently work outside in all weathers. Often people new to the industry will start in a ‘hands-on’ role covering a range of practical tasks, with specialist skills being learnt through progression. A wide range of machinery and tools are used and additional training may be required depending on the nature of the works undertaken.

Working and learning in the horticulture industry is rewarding, offers a diverse range of employment opportunities and includes a range of skills that are transferrable into many other industries.

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Course modules

Additional Qualification(s)

Additional Qualifications

The following qualifications will be required prior to taking the end point assessments:

  • Emergency First Aid
  • Level 2 Principals of the Safe Handling and Application (PA1) OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides (PA6a)

Combined Competence and Knowledge Qualification

Skills, Knowledge & Behaviours

An apprentice will be required to undertake & have an understanding of a number of different core skills, knowledge & behaviours to complete this apprenticeship. Please see factsheet for more information.

Functional Skills

Functional Skills

Level 1 Mathematics and Level 1 English

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

Entry requirements will be determined by individual employers but typically potential apprentices will have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s at Grades A-D (including Maths and English and Science) or other equivalent vocational qualifications. Employers, who recruit apprentices without the above levels of qualifications, will have to ensure they achieve level 1 in English and maths as part of their Apprenticeship.

Learning and assessment

Theory work & learning materials delivered online with photographic, video & audio evidence being collected through the Onefile E-Portfolio platform, supported by off site technical training at Myerscough College as required.

The employer will have access to their apprentices Onefile E-Portfolio so they can monitor progress & work that has been set by the tutor.

The qualification is made up of a number of mandatory units designed to have maximum relevance to the job & integrate with day to day responsibilities.

An employer must allow an apprentice 20% of their working week to undertake work required to complete their apprenticeship (this is a legal requirement) & will include any college attendance required.

There will be an end point assessment, conducted by an independent assessor.

All components must be passed for the apprentice to meet the apprenticeship standard & these will include:

    • An online knowledge test to be taken at the end of the apprenticeship programme in controlled conditions.
    • A synoptic practical assessment
    • Professional Discussion

There will be 2 levels of achievement: Pass & Distinction

Progression

Apprentices successfully completing the Level 2 Apprenticeship have opportunities to progress within the industry by continuing onto the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Horticulture or other Further Education courses.

Careers

Typical jobs apprentices will be able to progress onto on completion of the Level 2 Apprenticeship will depend on the qualifications and experience gained, but could include: Grounds/Garden Maintenance, Parks & Grounds Staff, Nurseries & Garden Centre Staff.

Horticulture

Horticulture is a rapidly growing area of the economy thanks to a strong public interest in gardening, plants, sustainability and food security. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, the horticulture industry is the largest employer in the UK, supplying 18 million gardeners.

The number of garden centres continues to increase and the public demand for attractive horticultural landscapes remains strong. This means that plant growers, suppliers and managers are constantly looking for ways to improve their businesses.

Show Garden Success

Work experience doesn’t get much better than here at Myerscough. Our learners have helped build award-winning gardens across the country - from a Gold-Medal entry at Chelsea Flower Show to Gold and Silver Medals at Southport Flower Show! They’ve also been involved with garden builds for the BBC DIY SOS project in Blackpool and show gardens at the RHS Tatton Flower Show and Chorley Flower Show.

PlantWorld

Myerscough’s award-winning gardens are laid out across much of the western edge of the Myerscough campus. As part of our garden kingdom, horticulture students are spoilt for choice in our Plant World display glasshouses! There are bananas growing in the Tropical Zone, coffee plants and pineapples in the Edible Zone, a Mediterranean atmosphere in the Temperate Zone as well as beautiful specimen plants in the Flowering and Foliage Zones.

Superb Facilities

Our horticulture students have access to some of the best facilities available. There are brand new commercial glasshouses, an extensive plant collection, fully-equipped landscape and construction workshops, a new Sportsturf education facility, a CAD suite and drawing studio and dedicated garden plots for project work.

Scholarship Programme

Every year there’s the chance for students to apply for funding to undertake overseas trips as part of their studies thanks to travel scholarships. The annual fund, from the Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture & Horticulture Society Scholarship programme, pays significant bursaries to encourage young horticulturalists to study or explore business ideas abroad. This year, Bronwyn Jones, 19, went to Singapore to be involved as a volunteer on the ‘Gardens by the Bay’ project looking at increasing public accessibility to gardens and using innovation and technology in creating a city in the garden.

Latest news, Horticulture

Christine Walkden: Honorary Fellow

"My passion for gardening was nurtured at Myerscough College and I've been getting my hands dirty ever since." Celebrity plantswoman and horticulturalist Christine was awarded an honorary fellowship and regularly works with the College and our Horticultural department.

Why study an Apprenticeship?

Everything you need to know about taking on an Apprentice with Myerscough College as well as the benefits and support available.

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Apprenticeship Vacancies

View all our Apprenticeship vacancies and apply online with the National Apprenticeship Service.

Apprenticeship Vacancies

Case Studies

Don't just take our word for it, meet a selection of our Apprentices and hear what they have to say about an Apprenticeship with Myerscough College.

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Traineeships

Traineeships offer the chance to develop your skills and experience in order to enhance your chances of progression to an Apprenticeship, college course or employment.

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Latest news, Horticulture

Download our Apprenticeship Guide

For more information about Apprenticeship at Myerscough College, download our handy guide.

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Myerscough College, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RY

For all enquiries please see our contact page or call 01995 642222.

UK Provider Registration Number: 10004478