Horticulture Apprentice Crop Technician

Reporting to the Site Supervisors, you will rotate through key nursery departments to master the following:

Potting: Sow seeds, and work on high-volume potting lines. Crop Care: Monitor plant health through irrigation, feeding, and weeding. You will learn to manage the growing environment and perform pest and disease checks. Despatch: Select and prepare plants to meet quality specifications, including labelling, trolley assembly, and loading. Nursery Operations: Maintain a clean, safe site by assisting with nursery hygiene, facility maintenance, and tractor driving. Professional Growth: Your first year focusses on core practical skills. In the second year, you will take on more responsibility and lead small team tasks. 

Training:

Level 2 Awards in:

Safe Use of Pesticides

On completion of the pesticides foundation unit above also choose one of the following units:

Boom sprayer, mounted, trailed or self-propelled equipment. Granular applicator equipment. Handheld applicator equipment. Level 3 award in Emergency First Aid at Work. Candidates Aged 16-18 must have GCSE English and maths at Grade 4/C or above (if taking GCSEs this year, predicted grades must be at Pass level for maths and English). For candidates Aged 19+ (without GCSE English and maths), WCG will assess on an individual basis.

Training Outcome:

Fleurie Nursery and the wider Tristram Plants group have a strong focus on internal growth. Based on their current structure and industry standards for Crop Technician apprentices, here is a breakdown of the expected career progression:

Internal Opportunities at Fleurie

Fleurie is known for its "people grow plants" ethos, meaning they prefer to promote from within. After completing your apprenticeship, your path could lead to:

Permanent Nursery Operative: Moving into a full-time role within a specific department where you become a subject-matter expert. Specialist Roles: Developing technical expertise in areas like Crop Protection or Irrigation Management. Supervisory Positions: Progressing to a Team Leader or Site Supervisor role, where you manage day-to-day operations and lead staff. Technical Roles: With further experience, moving into Technical, overseeing crop quality and environmental controls across the nursery.

Employer Description:

Founded in 1986, Fleurie Nursery is a market-leading horticultural business and a proud member of the Farplants Group, a cooperative that produces over 10 million plants annually for the UK’s leading garden retailers. Operating across five production sites in the Barnham area of West Sussex, we specialise in high-quality ornamental plants, including summer patio plants, fuchsias, geraniums, and our own unique varieties of Nemesia.

 
At Fleurie, our core philosophy is that "people grow plants." We are committed to a "grow our own" culture, where we invest heavily in the training and development of our team. With over 27 acres of production space, ranging from modern glasshouses to outdoor growing areas, we provide a dynamic and healthy working environment

Working Hours :
5 days in 7 with 4 days 0745-1615 and 1 day 0745-1515. Overtime as needed during the week. We work 7 days a week and overtime may be necessary in peak periods.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Problem solving skills,Number skills,Analytical skills,Logical,Team working,Initiative,Patience,Physical fitness