Landscaper

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

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

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

These take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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.

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

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.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can apply to become a member of the British Association of Landscape Industries for professional development.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a landscaper from:

• The Royal Horticultural Society
• GoLandscape

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

We've identified this as a potential green job

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

You could work in a garden, at a client's business, at a client's home or at a garden centre.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.