Horticultural Apprentice Review
at Clarion Housing Group
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Property Management
North Kensington
Review Submitted: January 2026
Overall Rating
4.9 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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
I am a Horticulture Apprentice with Clarion Housing Group, working within the West London grounds maintenance team across several residential housing estates and blocks. My day-to-day work includes grass cutting, strimming, hedge maintenance, pruning, weeding, leaf clearance, planting bulbs and seasonal border plants, and carrying out routine site checks to maintain safe and attractive outdoor spaces.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy the apprenticeship programme because it combines practical, hands-on work with structured learning in a real working environment. Working as part of a grounds maintenance team has been particularly rewarding, as it encourages shared responsibility, learning from others on site, and a sense of contribution to maintaining outdoor spaces that residents use every day. Being able to apply what I am learning directly in the workplace has helped me build confidence and develop my skills steadily.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
• Developed safe and confident use of grounds maintenance equipment such as mowers, strimmers, and hedge cutters while working on live residential sites.
• Improved my ability to assess tasks on site and plan work safely, including identifying hazards, working around residents and the public, and selecting appropriate methods and PPE.
• Gained greater awareness of biosecurity and environmental responsibility, including working cleanly between sites, managing green waste correctly, and protecting planted areas and wildlife.
• Improved my ability to assess tasks on site and plan work safely, including identifying hazards, working around residents and the public, and selecting appropriate methods and PPE.
• Gained greater awareness of biosecurity and environmental responsibility, including working cleanly between sites, managing green waste correctly, and protecting planted areas and wildlife.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The apprenticeship programme is well organised and clearly structured, with regular check-ins that help keep learning and work aligned. Quarterly In-Work Support reviews provide an opportunity to reflect on progress and plan next steps, while monthly one-to-one meetings with my line manager help ensure tasks, learning objectives, and expectations are clear. The programme allows skills and responsibility to develop gradually over time, supported by both workplace guidance and input from the training provider.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have received a good level of support from Clarion throughout my apprenticeship so far. This includes regular quarterly reviews with an assigned mentor, which help me monitor my progress and allow for development discussions, as well as access to Apprenticeship Unwrapped team-building events that provide opportunities to learn more about the organisation, share experiences with other apprentices, and understand future pathways. The Apprenticeship Development Team are available if any questions or concerns arise, and there is clear encouragement and guidance around progression into permanent roles, either within the organisation or externally, as the apprenticeship develops.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
• As part of the apprenticeship, I am assigned a personal tutor who arranges regular one-to-one reviews and is contactable if I have any queries or issues.
• The training provider delivers online Teams sessions where we work through set workbook tasks together in an interactive format, with opportunities to ask questions and clarify requirements during the session.
• Completed work is uploaded to Smart Assessor, an online platform that allows me to monitor my progress and receive written feedback and guidance from my tutor.
• The training provider delivers online Teams sessions where we work through set workbook tasks together in an interactive format, with opportunities to ask questions and clarify requirements during the session.
• Completed work is uploaded to Smart Assessor, an online platform that allows me to monitor my progress and receive written feedback and guidance from my tutor.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
This apprenticeship training supports my role well by helping me understand the principles behind the practical tasks I carry out on site. Learning about plant identification, seasonal maintenance, health and safety, biosecurity, and environmental responsibility has made me more confident in my work and better able to apply appropriate methods in different situations. This has helped me work more effectively and with greater awareness of best practice across the sites I maintain.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are a range of extra-curricular activities available through Clarion. I attended an Apprenticeship Unwrapped event held at the Monopoly Live experience in central London, which brought together apprentices from across different roles and teams. This provided a valuable opportunity to meet other gardening apprentices from North and East London, share experiences, and gain insights from those at different stages of their apprenticeship, alongside talks from the Clarion Apprenticeship Team and group activities. I have also taken part in a Clarion volunteering day at Spitalfields City Farm, working alongside the grounds maintenance team and other staff based on the same estate, contributing to site upkeep and supporting animal welfare activities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Clarion Housing Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend Clarion Housing Group because the apprenticeship is well structured, offers meaningful hands-on experience, and provides clear opportunities for development. The organisation takes apprentices seriously and provides a supportive environment in which to learn, gain confidence, and progress.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Clarion Housing Group?
I would advise applicants to read the job description carefully and clearly demonstrate how their skills and experience match the role. Providing practical examples and showing a genuine interest in the work and the organisation will help strengthen an application.
