Gardening Mobile Team Leader Review
at Clarion Housing Group
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Sustainability
London
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
4 /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
I began as an apprentice and progressed to a full time gardener, and then finally to a gardening team leader.
This has been a big change in my responsibilities, I began fully outside learning how to use different tools and growing on different gardening techniques and methods, with one day a week of apprenticeship tutor lead studies online.
Within my managerial role, I am still completing my one day a week of study mostly, with some outside work training staff, completing site assessments or completing projects.
I also complete 1-1's with my team, manage sickness and absence, complete disciplinary actions, plan the jobs, apply for funding for projects, and purchase tools, equipment, plants & PPE.
I spend more time now within the office, spreading my time between managerial tasks, project creation, and on-site check-ins and tasks.
This has been a big change in my responsibilities, I began fully outside learning how to use different tools and growing on different gardening techniques and methods, with one day a week of apprenticeship tutor lead studies online.
Within my managerial role, I am still completing my one day a week of study mostly, with some outside work training staff, completing site assessments or completing projects.
I also complete 1-1's with my team, manage sickness and absence, complete disciplinary actions, plan the jobs, apply for funding for projects, and purchase tools, equipment, plants & PPE.
I spend more time now within the office, spreading my time between managerial tasks, project creation, and on-site check-ins and tasks.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I have enjoyed learning this trade and different techniques in depth. I am very driven by sustainable practices and changing the landscapes to be friendly for residents and nature. At Clarion i have been supported towards my future goals and given lots of opportunities to show my skills, learn and grow.
Grey Seal have given in-depth tutorial lessons and workbooks with guidance on which tasks will better us as gardeners, but I believe there could have been more hands-on training and check-ins from them. Clarion has listened to our suggestions and helped mediate between what we need from our learning provider to help us grow, which has been great for me and the other apprentices within my team.
Grey Seal have given in-depth tutorial lessons and workbooks with guidance on which tasks will better us as gardeners, but I believe there could have been more hands-on training and check-ins from them. Clarion has listened to our suggestions and helped mediate between what we need from our learning provider to help us grow, which has been great for me and the other apprentices within my team.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I had basic gardening knowledge from doing tasks in the garden with my family, as well as some understanding of the environment and sustainability due to my master's degree.
Clarion has given me the opportunity to grow my practical skills on site and get to a really high level where I feel comfortable training others and sharing my knowledge. I have also been able to do passion projects, being taught different project management techniques and grant applications to transform and re-wild spaces on our land.
Clarion has given me the opportunity to grow my practical skills on site and get to a really high level where I feel comfortable training others and sharing my knowledge. I have also been able to do passion projects, being taught different project management techniques and grant applications to transform and re-wild spaces on our land.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Grey Seals' structure could do with some work; there is a lot of time after the workbooks have been completed, where you have little guidance or correspondence. There is no formal training beyond spraying and first aid that helps you be your best. You learn this all in-house, which does come in time, but a more formal teaching approach with monthly in-person meetings, I believe, would really help the learning.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Clarion has been there to listen to any of our concerns and act quickly to discuss these with our training provider. They have regular check-ins with apprentices, bring up any issues with managers and give us advice when we are struggling. They have now considered other providers after listening to our feedback, which i feel shows they really care about our learning and progression.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Grey Seal have had some staffing changes recently, which have made things quite confusing. They have, however, set up a meeting and sent over revision materials recently to help us along and have set up follow-on meetings and in-person mock tests. This has been really great and has made me feel more confident in the lead-up to my exams.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
When i have completed my examinations this course will have given me a much deeper understanding of the plant world and why we do the tasks in the way and the times we do them. I will be able to train staff and residents in caring for their green space while keeping sustainability central.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There are apprentice unwrapped sessions which I have attended in the past but due to my change of roles I now no longer feel the need to attend. I know of some sporting groups but due to the different offices and people who work there I feel there are less of these groups within my office space.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Clarion Housing Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I receive a good amount of support, have a good network to reach out to for advice and have learnt a lot on this job. I have had opportunities to grow that I did not first expect, which have helped me understand the role I believe I will want to do in the future.
They have good benefits to help people with advice and wellbeing, gym and cycle to work schemes, a good amount of annual leave, and are understanding of personal situations.
They have good benefits to help people with advice and wellbeing, gym and cycle to work schemes, a good amount of annual leave, and are understanding of personal situations.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Clarion Housing Group?
Show how passionate you are about the role, even if you don't have a lot of formal experience. It is important for Clarion to have dedicated and driven people, especially with apprenticeships you are there to learn those skills, so as long as you work hard you can do great things.
