Horticulture Apprentice

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic team player to join the Gardens Department as Horticulture Apprentice. Working within the well established and beautiful grounds of Clare College, the successful candidate will work as part of the team responsible for the maintenance of the College’s Gardens including all trees, shrubs and cultivated areas to a high standard comparable to the best of the Cambridge Colleges. This will include 20% off-site learning which may take place at other sites such as training college or other Cambridge University College gardens.

This is a fixed term contract for two years. The hours of work will be 40 hours per week during Spring/Summer and 35 hours per week during Autumn/Winter.

Main duties include:

• To work with the garden team including all greenhouse work, raising seeds, cuttings and bulbs.
• Learn how to maintain and care of the herbaceous borders, pruning trees and shrubs.
• Learn how to work on machines and mowers.
• To carry out edging of lawns, clipping hedges, sweeping and cutting of rough grass.

This role is ideal for someone who has a love of gardening, is keen to learn new skills and be part of a team of gardeners.

Clare is the second oldest of the 31 Colleges in the University of Cambridge. Regarded as one of the most progressive and informal, Clare is renowned as a College that achieves academically at the highest levels, whilst also being welcoming, forward-thinking, and inclusive.

Located in the heart of Cambridge city centre, the College is extraordinarily beautiful and famed for its gardens on “the Backs” (the famous backs of the Colleges that overlook the River Cam). Clare’s Old Court, a Grade I listed building, is the centre of the College and is unique among the ancient Cambridge Colleges in having maintained its architectural integrity over the course of its history.

The annual salary will be £25,940 p.a.

Included in the benefits package is lunch, membership of a defined contribution pension scheme, membership of a medical cashback scheme, parking, and non-contractual bonus paid in November of each year subject to eligibility.

The complete job description and person specification is below.

All applicants must complete the application and equal opportunities form and email these to hr@clare.cam.ac.uk by the closing date of 2 September 2026 with interviews being held on the 15th September 2026 and the successful candidate starting as soon as possible thereafter. The contents of the Equal Opportunities Form will not be disclosed to the selection or interview panels.

Please note that as part of the shortlisting process the College will require details of one referee that can be contacted prior to interview. This does not have to be your current employer.

Horticulture Apprentice