Apprentice Horticulturist
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Company: Chester Zoo
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Location: Chester Zoo, CH21LH
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: Apprenticeship Minimum Wage
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Sector: Agriculture, environmental and animal care
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Ref: NAS-2000045418
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Application Deadline Date: 30/08/2026
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Start Date: 05/10/2026
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Positions Available: 2
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Working Week: 5 days per week including weekends and bank holidays as rostered. 7.00am to 4.00pm or 7:30am - 4:30pm (depending on time of year).
Brief Description
Our Apprentice Horticulturist’s will play a key role learning while working as part of our professional horticulture and botany teams, to ensure the highest standards of care and cultivation of our gardens and extensive plant collections across the zoo.
Training to be Provided
The successful candidate will continue their studies with apprenticeship specialists, RNN Group both remotely and on a 1-2-1 basis at the workplace, giving you the training and support you need to achieve the accompanying qualification.
Future Prospects
Possibility of full-time employment within the sector
Vacancy Detail
As part of the zoo's horticultural department as an apprentice, you'll be trained on and responsible for (but not limited to) the following:
Key responsibilities
- To develop horticultural knowledge and skills to grow, nurture and develop a wide range of plants.
- To learn how to identify and control pest, disease, weed infestations using appropriate methods.
- To work within the team to design new horticultural planting.To learn the importance of and comply with risk assessments and safe operating procedures.
- To learn and develop skills to use and maintain a range of hand tools and mechanical horticultural equipment.
You’ll develop your skills alongside various members of the team, learning a variety of duties and supporting the whole organisation to continued growth. You’ll be taught and mentored by supervisors who are well versed in the job role and industry, to achieve your full potential and share in the organisations success.
If you are committed and ready to take your first step into a real career with a well-established organisation, then please apply now! This apprenticeship and opportunity with The North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo) will be highly competitive, so do not miss your chance!
Other Information
This is a physical role and the role holder will spend a significant amount of time either outdoors in all weather conditions or in temperature controlled environments. The roles will involve a range of manual tasks. This is a public facing role out in the zoo.