Apprentice landscape architects build innovative and aesthetically appealing areas for people to enjoy while also ensuring that changes to the natural environment are appropriate, sensitive, and long-lasting.
You’ll work on projects in both urban and rural settings, partnering with other professionals on anything from parks, gardens, and housing estates to city centre design, sporting arenas, and highway construction.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- meet with clients and survey areas to understand what is needed
- create designs to meet briefs using a computer aided design package
- present your designs to clients and make any changes
- create contracts, write reports and consider the environmental impact of projects
- monitor the progress of projects
- find out what the local community think of the designs.
Salary
- As an apprentice landscape architect, you’ll earn in the region of £20,000.
- Once chartered, you’ll earn between £30,000 and £45,000.
- There is potential to earn up to £65,000 in very senior positions, such as director.
Working hours
Your working hours may fluctuate. There is a standard 35 to 40 hours, five-day week, but evening and weekend working is not unusual. Hours are likely to be particularly irregular when working to a tight deadline. Shift work is rare.
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a client’s business or visit sites.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you’ll travel often.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice landscape architect include:
- Level 7 Chartered Landscape Professional – Entry requirements for this level include 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship. This qualification takes 60 months to complete.
Skills
On a landscape architect apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of building and construction
- customer service skills
- knowledge of English language
- maths knowledge
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently.
Employers
Typical employers of landscape architects include:
- the construction industry
- local authorities
- private practices
- public bodies
- water companies.
Professional development
You will be eligible for LI Licentiate Membership after completing an approved undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
This is followed by a period of mentored work experience as part of the Pathway to Chartership (P2C). After completing the P2C, you will be granted chartered status and full membership in the LI.
You will be referred to as a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute after you have obtained full membership and will be entitled to use the letters CMLI after your name.
The P2C broadens your landscape architecture knowledge, skills, and professionalism while guaranteeing that you have the competencies required for chartered status.
It takes an average of three years to pass the chartership oral exam. Therefore, candidates may progress at their own pace but must actively seek growth opportunities.
Every year after being chartered, you must complete at least 25 hours of continuing professional development (CPD). This is available in various ways, and the LI’s website highlights CPD days and other essential events. In addition, those at the height of their profession may apply for Fellowship-level membership in the LI.
Career prospects
You may progress your career as a landscape architect by taking on more responsibility, managing projects, leading a team, and specialising in a certain subject.
Your progress rate will be determined by how ambitious you are and how quickly you learn new skills and knowledge.
Obtaining chartered membership is the most important milestone in your career since it demonstrates that you are a fully qualified landscape architect.
You may rise to senior consulting posts, become a private practice partner, or create your own business if you have sufficient competence and excellent commercial awareness. To be effective in private practice, you’ll need a large customer and contact network and considerable skills, knowledge, and talents.