Summary
An exciting opportunity to take up an apprenticeship at one of the leading UK nurseries supplying first quality plants to UK retailers. You will work in operational, growing and technical areas within the business gaining a broad appreciation of the business and industry as a whole.
Wage
£26,436 a year
£12.71 per hour Candidates will be offered a seasonal contract asap at £12.71 per hour with a formal start date for the apprenticeship being in the autumn.
Training course
Crop technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.30pm. Overtime will be offered and some weekend work may be required.
40 hours a week
Start date
Monday 7 September 2026
Duration
2 years
Positions available
3
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
You will learn a range of critical nursery skills including:
* Irrigation
* Feeding
* Potting
* Trimming
* Spacing
* Dispatch
* Pest and disease identification
* Biological pest control
* Spraying
* Record keeping
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
* Madley Site, Brampton Road Madley, Hereford, HR2 9LX
* Allensmore Nurseries, Tram Inn, Hereford, HR2 9AN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE
Training course
Crop technician (level 3)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
* Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
* Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
* Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
* Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
* Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
* Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
* Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
* Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
* Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
* Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
* Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
* Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
* Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
* Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
* Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
* Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
* Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
* Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
* Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
* Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based)
* Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based)
* Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based)
* Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based)
* Optimise growth conditions for crops, based on the specific needs of the plant relative to the environment. (Container based)
* Maintain productive and non-productive areas. (Container based)
* Plan for and carry out the removal of waste materials following harvest or dispatch. (Container based)
* Evaluate and select different growing mediums taking into account site conditions and production requirements. (Container based)
* Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
* Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
* Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
* Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
* Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
* Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
* Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
* Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
* Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
* Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
* Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
* Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
* Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
* Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
* Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
* Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
* Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
* Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
* Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
* Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
Training schedule
Level 3 Crop Technician Apprenticeship
Learning is based at Pershore College.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
English, Maths (grade 3/D+)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Number skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
The role requires you to work outside, inside polythene tunnels and inside glasshouses. These are physical roles requiring lifting and bending.