Landscaping Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine practical training in landscaping jobs with study
Get paid to learn a trade outdoors
A landscaping apprenticeship gives you hands-on training, a recognised qualification and a real job at the end, all while you earn from day one. You learn the trade on real sites with experienced landscapers, not from a textbook.
If you love being outside, enjoy working with your hands and want a career where no two days look the same, this is one of the best routes in. It is also a popular path for career changers looking for something more rewarding than office life.
Why choose a landscaping apprenticeship
You will not be stuck in a classroom. Around 80 per cent of your time is spent on the job with a real employer, learning the trade by doing it. The other 20 per cent is structured off-the-job training, usually one day a week, where you build the knowledge that backs up what you are picking up on the tools.
As an apprentice, you will:
- Earn a wage from your first day, with paid holiday, sick pay and the same perks as the rest of the team
- Work alongside experienced landscapers who want to pass on what they know
- Learn a wide range of landscaping skills, from planting and turfing to paving, fencing and reading site plans
- Gain a qualification that employers across the UK recognise and value
- Build a network of contacts in the industry before you even finish training
- Walk into a full-time role at the end, often with the company that trained you
You come out of an apprenticeship with experience, qualifications and confidence.
That is a strong place to start any career.
What you can expect to earn
Apprentice wage (2026): From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £8.00 an hour. That works out at around £15,600 a year on a 37.5-hour week. This rate applies if you are under 19 or 19 and over in your first year. Many landscaping employers, especially BALI members, pay more than the minimum.
After year one: If you are 19 or over and have finished your first year, you are entitled to the minimum wage for your age group. From April 2026, that is £10.85 an hour for 18- to 20-year-olds and £12.71 an hour for 21 and over. So your pay typically rises significantly partway through your apprenticeship.
After you qualify: Once you finish your Level 2, qualified landscape operatives typically earn from £22,000 to £28,000 a year, depending on experience and location. Move up to a Level 3 supervisor role, and that can rise to £30,000 plus. Wages tend to be higher in London and the South East, and lower in some rural areas.
On top of your wage, you get holiday pay (at least 28 days, including bank holidays for full-time apprentices), sick pay and the same workplace perks as other staff. Some employers also pay for tools, kits, and travel.
Levels and duration explained
There are two main landscaping apprenticeship routes in the UK, and the level you start on depends on your experience and qualifications. You can read a fuller breakdown in our guide to landscape and horticulture apprenticeships.
Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Operative
This is the starting point for most people. It is equivalent to five GCSEs at grades 4 to 9 and usually takes around 24 months to complete.
You can choose to focus on landscaping (the hard side, like paths, patios and structures) or horticulture (the soft side, like planting and plant care).
Level 3 Horticulture or Landscape Supervisor
This is the next step up, equivalent to A Level standard. It typically takes 18 to 24 months and prepares you to lead a small team, manage projects and take on more technical work.
Both levels finish with an end-point assessment, where an independent assessor checks you can do the job you have trained for. You will be graded fail, pass, merit or distinction.
If you would prefer to focus purely on the soft side of the industry, the horticulture apprenticeship route might suit you better.
What about T Levels?
If you are 16 to 19 and still in education, a T Level in Ornamental and Environmental Horticulture and Landscaping is another route worth considering.
T Levels combine classroom study with a longer industry placement, whereas apprenticeships are mainly on-the-job from day one.
Both lead into the same industry, so it comes down to which way of learning suits you best. See our overview of landscape education options to compare them side by side.
Who can apply
To start a landscaping apprenticeship in England, you need to be:
- 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays
- Not in full-time education
- Living in England with the right to work in the UK
You do not always need formal qualifications to begin. Most employers look for GCSE grade 3 (or grade D) in English and Maths, or the willingness to work towards them during your apprenticeship. If you are worried about what qualifications you need, the short answer is fewer than you might think.
What matters more is attitude. Employers want apprentices who are reliable, enthusiastic about the outdoors and keen to learn. If that sounds like you, you have a strong starting point.
What you will learn
The skills you pick up depend on whether you choose the landscaping or horticulture route, but most apprenticeships cover a mix of both.
On the landscaping side, you will learn how to:
- Build hard features like paths, patios, walls, fences and timber decking
- Lay paving, set levels and identify underground services
- Cut hard landscape materials safely using abrasive wheels
- Assess and repair structures, from cracked paving to frost-damaged brickwork
- Work safely on site and follow health and safety procedures
On the horticulture side, you will learn how to:
- Identify plants, pests and diseases, and build your plant knowledge
- Plant, prune and maintain a wide range of species
- Understand soil science, plant health and biosecurity
- Establish and care for cultivated areas, from private gardens to public parks
You will also work towards:
- Level 1 English and Maths (and sit the Level 2 test) if you do not already have them
- A Level 3 award in Emergency First Aid at Work
- A Level 2 award in the Safe Use of Pesticides
These are the foundations of a long career, and they stay with you wherever your work takes you.
Where you could end up working
A landscaping apprenticeship opens up a wide variety of workplaces across the landscape industry. You could find yourself in:
- Public parks, gardens and historic estates
- Private gardens for residential clients
- Sports grounds and commercial green spaces
- Production nurseries or garden retail
- Specialist firms focused on hard landscaping, soft landscaping or grounds maintenance
Once you finish, you could go on to become a hard landscape operative, lawn care technician, gardener, nursery production worker, pesticide operative or grounds maintenance team member. With more experience, supervisor and management roles follow. Browse our full list of landscaping job roles to see what catches your eye.
From apprentice to mobile team leader
Plenty of today’s industry leaders began with an apprenticeship. Dominic Andrews started as an apprentice and trained up to Level 3 in Work-based Horticulture, and is now a Mobile Team Leader at Idverde in Southwark.
“I started as an apprentice and have since trained up to Level 3 in Work-based Horticulture. The apprenticeship route gave me hands-on experience from day one and a clear path to progress.”
Dominic Andrews, Mobile Team Leader, Idverde
His story is one of many. The apprenticeship route gives you a foot in the door, and where you take it from there is up to you.
- Research the industry
Get a feel for what landscaping involves before you apply. Look at the different job roles, read through our career tips and watch a few of our career videos. The more you know, the better your application will be. - Check the entry requirements
Most programmes need you to be 16 or over, with the right to work in the UK. Some employers will ask for GCSEs in English and Maths, although many are flexible if you are willing to work towards them. - Search for opportunities
The National Apprenticeship Service is the official place to find live vacancies across England. You can also contact local landscaping companies directly, speak to your nearest college and use our training providers map to find education providers in your area. - Apply and interview
Most employers will ask for an application form, followed by an interview. Be ready to talk about why you want to work outdoors, what you know about the industry and what you hope to learn. - Train, qualify and progress
Once you are accepted, you will spend most of your time on the job, with structured study alongside it. At the end, you sit your end-point assessment and gain your qualification. From there, the next step is yours. If an apprenticeship is not quite right for you, college courses are another strong way into the industry.
How to find and apply for a landscaping apprenticeship
Landscaping Apprenticeships Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a landscaping apprenticeship take?
A Level 2 apprenticeship usually takes around 24 months. Level 3 takes another 18 to 24 months on top of that.
How much do landscaping apprentices get paid?
From April 2026, the minimum is £8.00 an hour, around £15,600 a year on full-time hours. Many landscaping employers pay more than that, particularly in London and the South East. After your first year, if you are 19 or over, you move onto the minimum wage for your age group. Read more about how you learn and earn with an apprenticeship.
Do I need qualifications to start?
Not always. Some employers ask for GCSEs in English and Maths, but many are happy for you to work towards Level 1 and Level 2 during your apprenticeship. Here is more on what you really need.
Do I need a driving licence?
It is not a strict requirement, but it helps. Some apprentice roles involve travelling between sites, and employers based outside city centres often prefer applicants who can drive or are working towards their test. A few will help cover the cost of lessons. Always check the individual job advert.
What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3?
Level 2 is the operative qualification and gives you the practical skills to do the job. Level 3 is the supervisor qualification and prepares you to lead a team and manage projects.
Can I choose between landscaping and horticulture?
Yes. Most apprenticeship standards let you specialise in one or the other, depending on what interests you most. If horticulture sounds more like you, take a look at the dedicated horticulture route.
Is an apprenticeship right for someone changing careers?
Absolutely. Plenty of people switch into landscaping later in life through an apprenticeship. There is no upper age limit, and your existing work experience can count in your favour at the interview.
What happens at the end?
You sit an end-point assessment with an independent assessor. You will be graded fail, pass, merit or distinction. Once you pass, you have a recognised qualification and a strong base to build your career on.
Where can I find a landscaping apprenticeship near me?
Use our local training provider map to find colleges and employers in your area, or read our guide to finding a landscaping apprenticeship near you.
Get in touch if you have a question we have not answered here. We are happy to help.
A wealth of careers open to you...
The industry has a broad range of landscaping roles. View over 40 job roles in the landscaping industry to see which ones pique your interest. Then, learn more about the qualifications, skills, and experience needed.
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who have entered the landscaping industry through an Apprenticeship
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Landscaping Apprenticeships Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a landscaping apprenticeship take?
A horticulturist works with plants in some form, whether that’s growing them, designing with them, researching them or caring for them. Some focus on producing plants in commercial nurseries, others maintain established gardens, design new landscapes or work in plant science and conservation. The variety is one of the field’s biggest draws.
How much do landscaping apprentices get paid?
Not always to start with, but qualifications open more doors and help you progress faster. Many people begin through apprenticeships, entry-level roles or college courses, then build qualifications as their careers develop. Specialist routes often need more formal training.
Do I need qualifications to start?
There are several routes in, including apprenticeships, work placements, entry-level college courses and assistant roles with UK horticulture businesses. If you’re switching from another industry, our career changer guide walks through the realistic options step by step.
Do I need a driving licence?
Horticulture focuses on growing and cultivating plants, while landscaping covers the design, construction and care of outdoor spaces. The two overlap heavily and many careers sit comfortably in both worlds. Our green career paths guide explains the relationship in more depth.
What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3?
Yes. The UK horticulture sector is facing a real skills shortage, which means strong job security, good progression and rising demand for trained people. It’s also one of the most varied and personally rewarding industries to be part of, with clear pathways from entry-level work right through to senior specialist and design roles.
Can I choose between landscaping and horticulture?
Entry-level horticulture roles in the UK typically start around £18,000 to £22,000. Experienced horticulturists earn £25,000 to £35,000, while specialists, designers and chartered landscape architects can earn £45,000 to £70,000 or more. See our full landscaping and horticulture salary guide for a detailed breakdown.
Is an apprenticeship right for someone changing careers?
Yes. Competitions like the Young Horticulturist of the Year recognise emerging talent in the sector and are a great way for new entrants to build profile, network and progress.
What happens at the end?
Yes. Competitions like the Young Horticulturist of the Year recognise emerging talent in the sector and are a great way for new entrants to build profile, network and progress.
Where can I find a landscaping apprenticeship near me?
Yes. Competitions like the Young Horticulturist of the Year recognise emerging talent in the sector and are a great way for new entrants to build profile, network and progress.