Trainee gardener Review
at University of Oxford
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Oxford
Review Submitted: March 2023
Overall Rating
4.1 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
As a training gardener in horticulture my day to day work would include things such as learning how to water the glasshouses correctly, each day would be slightly different depending on the weather. General maintenance as well as general plant care including potting up, pruning, seed sowing and loads more.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I think as a whole I really do enjoy it, because there is just so much to learn all of the time. Colleagues have told me that no one can know everything about plants or horticulture because there is just so much and so much that hasn’t been discovered. On the other hand it is quite challenging in terms of physical activity as well as how long my days are. But overall enjoyable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Throughout this apprenticeship I have learnt a huge amount, people at work are very patient as well as being very informative, which I think is really important. I developed previous skills but also learnt so much more and it broaden my mind on plants in general and how vast species go and how plants are so unique and different.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The way my apprenticeship worked I think was well organised and I think I have learnt as much as I could have done in the time given. Though during my college days I only wish one thing which would be to learn more about the science of plants and the biology.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Me and the other apprentice have received and unbelievable amount of support from the employer, always happy to help, always wanting to help, always has something new to tell you or teach you. Equally supportive with encouragement and is very understanding when external pressures come in place. Overall super supportive.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Equally like the previous question, there’s definitely support if needs be.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
It helps me perform better because of how much I’ve learnt throughout so providing that proof of that qualification shows the things I should know and have learnt
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
With Oxford university you have a staff card which can get you into places for free as well as places which aren’t open to the public, you can also get discounts in some places being a staff member of the university.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend University of Oxford to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It gives you good opportunities, they pay quite well for young people and it can open a lot of doors
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to University of Oxford?
To take advantage of the possibilities it gives you and just take as many as them as you can, as it all adds up and is all needed experience.
