Horticulturist Apprenticeship Programme Level 6 (2 years) SDCC is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will automatically disqualify. Opportunity starts here Come to SDCC to do your greatest work. Were forward-thinking and focused on diversity, inclusion and community. As an equal opportunities employer, were opening the doors to new careers, creating flexible ways of working and putting people at the heart of everything we do. Were the people responsible for local government in South Dublin County. Aside from the exciting range of opportunities to make a real difference in your community, SDCC is a great place to work. Working with us will give you the opportunity to gain experience at the heart of local government and to develop your career in a diverse work environment. At SDCC we provide plenty of opportunity for career progression with structured training, personal development, coaching and mentoring. We offer flexible working including blended working arrangements and a positive work environment. Read our Employee Value Proposition to find out more. Welcome to a team thats making a difference powered by people like you. Applications Only applications received electronically through the Councils eRecruitment system will be accepted and must be received no later than midnight on Thursday, 21st May 2026. Note All candidates who apply for this apprenticeship will be required to undertake online psychometric ability tests. These tests will be conducted by the recruitment agency appointed to conduct assessment testing on behalf of South Dublin County Council. Being called to undertake testing should not be taken as an indication of eligibility; eligibility checks will be undertaken in tandem with testing. Please carefully review the additional information booklet for full recruitment details. Candidates who are currently undertaking or who have completed an apprenticeship in Horticulture (QQI Level 6) are not eligible to apply. Acceptance of Offer SDCC will require persons to whom appointments are offered to take up such appointments in early August 2026. If they fail to take up appointment within such period or such longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, the Council will not appoint them Background This is a two-year programme with 6 streams, developed in consultation with industry. The apprenticeship is streamed into: Nurseries Garden Centres Garden and Parks Fruit Production Vegetable Production Hard Landscaping The apprentice must stay in their chosen stream for the duration of the programme. As part of this programme, apprentices will engage in on the-job training with a SOLAS approved employer. Off-the job training will take place in a Teagasc College supported by online learning. Off-the-job training will also include some visits to industry / horticultural research locations. Offthe job training will be a total of 10 weeks per year. On completion of the programme, the Apprentice will hold a nationally recognised QQI Higher Certificate as a Horticulturist (NFQ Level 6). The Role Horticulturists work extensively with plants, in tasks such as propagating, planting, maintaining (watering, feeding, pruning and pest and disease control) and presenting plants correctly to the end user. A horticulturist can work in a range of horticulture environments, such as parks estate gardens, nurseries, fruit and vegetable growers, garden centres and landscape companies. Horticulturists will typically engage with colleagues, the general public, customers and /or clients. Amongst other things, a horticulture apprentice will be able to: Understand the growth processes in plants and utilise this knowledge to produce better plants. Identify and select suitable plants for given sites and use. Identify and understand cultural requirements and propagation techniques for a diverse range of plants. Operate a range of horticulture equipment. Sustainably manage and maintain plants and their environments. Identify and manage a range of pest, weeds, and diseases in sustainable and economical horticulture production. Supervise a production of crop cycle to meet environmental, economic and market requirements. Wages Wages are payable by SDCC are as follows: Year One: €241.80 per week Year Two: €362.70 per week