Landscaper

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• a specialist training course

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course to get some of the skills you might need as a landscaper. For example:

• practical horticulture
• landscape construction
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Landscape or Horticulture Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could start as an assistant landscaper with a company and work your way up through training and promotion.

It might be helpful to have some related work experience when you apply for jobs.

DirectApplication

There are no set requirements to be a landscaper. Most employers will expect you to have some knowledge and experience in gardening or horticulture.

OtherRoutes

You could take a course with The Royal Horticultural Society to learn more about the industry or do a qualification that may help you to get a job.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
• customer service skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to work well with your hands
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of English language
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of maths
• concentration skills
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• leadership skills
• active listening skills
• observation and recording skills

What you'll do:

Landscapers create and maintain gardens, parks and other outdoor areas.

As a landscaper, you could:

• prepare sites for landscaping, using tools and machinery
• work from a plan made by a garden designer or landscape architect
• plant flowers, shrubs and trees, order supplies and sow lawns
• build paths, walls, water features and rock gardens
• advise clients on how to look after their green spaces

Possible green job

This job could help the environment.

For a landscaper to be a green job, you could:

• work with peat-free compost which is more environmentally friendly
• use electric rather than petrol power tools
• recycle rainwater to use when watering plants

Find out more about green careers

Location : You could work in a garden, at a client's business, at a client's home or at a garden centre.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £26,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends flexibly

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• do a Horticulture and Landscaping Technical Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship to progress into a management role
• become a landscape supervisor or landscape manager
• set up your own landscaping business
• specialise in landscape design
• train future landscapers at a land-based college or training provider