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Level 3 Horticulture Supervisor Standard

About the course

A horticulture supervisor can be employed to oversee work in public parks and gardens, green spaces and historic gardens, private gardens and estates or in production nurseries and retail outlets. Many businesses will be specialised in their activities, such as grounds maintenance (soft-landscape). This includes the establishment and maintenance of plants and cultivated areas. 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.

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

Minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C/4 including maths and English OR a Vocational qualification Level 2, plus GCSE grade C/4 in both maths and English. NB: English & maths Functional Skills Level 2 will be accepted as an alternative to GCSEs.

A potential Level 3 apprentice: 

Must be aged 16 or over & have officially left school. 

Must be employed (NOT self-employed) in the relevant occupational sector, working a minimum of 30 hours per week. 

An individual can only undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, if this allows the individual to acquire substantive new skills and the content of the training is materially different from any prior training or a previous apprenticeship. 

Must have the right to work in England & spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship. 

Must be a citizen of a country with in the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK AND have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning. 

All Apprenticeships require Initial assessment, vocational skills scan, an interview and employment in the industry.

Typically, an applicant will have attained a minimum of 4 GCSE grades C or 4 including both Maths and English. Functional Skills Level 2 will be accepted as an alternative to GCSEs. Learners will also need to be able to gain the necessary skills, knowledge and experience within their job roles to meet the requirements of the programme.

Exceptional entries will be considered for all Apprenticeships at the discretion of the college based on experience, successful interview and outcomes of Initial and Diagnostic assessments for English and Maths to establish current levels of ability. 

Learning and assessment

Delivery is work-based supported by technical training day sat Myerscough College, Preston Campus approximately once a month. College attendance will count towards the 20% off the job training requirement. An apprentice will also need to attend college courses to complete the required additional qualifications.

The following qualifications would also be required prior to end point assessment:

•Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work.

•Pesticides: Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides

To comply with legislation / industry standards, individuals who wish to work in some sectors of the industry may have to complete additional certificates of training, statutory licences and health and safety approved competency cards in order to be permitted on to a worksite.

At a point where employer, tutor and apprentice feel is appropriate, apprentices will undertake an end point assessment, which is carried out by a separate approved organisation, independent from Myerscough College.

The endpoint assessment will contain 4 components:

•A synoptic practical assessment containing a range of practical activities

•Professional discussion

•On line knowledge assessment meeting the knowledge requirements of the standard

•Supervisory Studies Project There will be 2 levels of achievement: Pass & Distinction In the unlikely event of an apprentice needing to re sit an End Point Assessment (or elements of the End Point Assessment), then the employer will be responsible for funding these additional costs.

Progression

Apprentices successfully completing the Level 3 Apprenticeship have opportunities to progress within the industry by continuing onto Higher Education courses or full time employment.

Careers

Typical jobs apprentices will be able to progress onto on completion of this Apprenticeship will depend on the qualifications and experience gained, but could include: grounds/garden maintenance, parks and grounds staff, nurseys and garden centre staff.

Myerscough College Horticulture
Myerscough College Horticulture

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.

Myerscough College Fellow - Christine Walkden
Myerscough College Fellow - Christine Walkden

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.

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Oldham Apprentices with WB Tutor David Hilton.jpg

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Myerscough College Apprentice Case Studies

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