Landscaper job
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Lee Grady works in East London as a grounds maintenance operative. Lee has been with the company for six months, and he works as part of a team of operatives including senior workers, which helps him to learn more about the job.
What is your role?
I carry out general grounds maintenance for the local council in places such as parks and residential areas.
What are your main tasks?
My tasks include maintaining shrub beds, pruning hedges, cutting grass and clearing leaves, to the high standards set by the council and my employer. I use a range of tools and machinery including strimmers, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, hedge cutters, and hand tools like spades and forks.
What hours do you work?
I work 40 hours a week, from 7.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. My working hours allow me to avoid most of the rush hour periods when travelling.
What qualities and skills do you need to be a landscaper?
You have to be good with your hands, as the work is quite detailed and creative. You also need common sense. For example, you cannot leave machinery where a child might come across it in a park.
What training have you had so far?
So far, I have done on-the-site training in the use of all the machines that I operate every day. Next year, I'm going to do a pesticide spraying course and a first aid course.
What do you enjoy about your job?
All my work takes place outdoors, which is great as I want to be outside and not in an office every day. I especially love the job in the summer when everyone else I know is working indoors.
I enjoy the creativity of the work. It's really satisfying to look back and realise that I have helped to make an area look attractive and enjoyable for other people. I particularly enjoy working housing estates and improving the places that people live in. As well as giving me a sense of achievement, making an area look better means that I'm always working pleasant surroundings.
My working conditions are good too; my colleagues are very sociable and like meeting members of the public.
What do you dislike about your job?
The worst part of the job is the weather when it's raining or extremely cold. It seems a bit miserable then, and there aren't so many people out and about enjoying the public areas. Winter can seem a bit slow, as there is little growth and the results are less obvious, but you need to remember that it's really about preparing for the coming spring and summer.
How would you like to progress?
I'd like to learn as much as possible about the landscaping industry and gain the necessary experience to progress more rapidly. For example, I would like to become a supervisor and get involved in the running of teams and operatives.
In the future I could develop other landscaping skills, like paving and creating water features, or I might decide to set up a landscaping business.
Lee's route
- GCSEs
- Studied art & design at college and became interested in landscape design and construction.
- Worked in the post office until he found current job.
Lee's landscaping job tips
- Go to college and study skills and hard landscaping, like paving and building walls.
- Show an interest in your surroundings. Perhaps get involved in horticultural projects at home or in the community so that you have some experience.
Landscaper related jobs
• • • • |
- Arboricultural worker/Tree surgeon
- Garden designer
- Gardener
- Groundsperson
- Horticultural/garden centre worker/manager
- Landscape architect
Salary of a landscaper
- Trainee landscapers start on around £12,000 a year.
- Those with experience may earn between £14,500 and £25,000 a year.
- Self-employed landscapers may earn up to £30,000 a year, or more.
- Senior managers may earn up to £50,000 a year.
- Landscapers receive overtime payments and are sometimes paid bonuses.
Landscaping related qualifications
- There are no formal entry requirements for landscapers. Many entrants start as apprentices or trainees straight from school and train on the job. Employers tend to look for people with an interest in horticulture and a willingness to work and learn. It may be beneficial to have a horticultural qualification and/or relevant experience.
- Full-time and part-time college courses are available at various levels. One year's experience in landscape or horticulture work is required for entry to some courses.
- Entrants mostly train on the job, working alongside experienced landscapers or with a supervisor. Training often involves working towards qualifications such as NVQs/SVQs.
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