Description
This course is essential for anyone who uses a handheld hedge trimmer in a professional capacity (as part of their normal duties). For example, a grounds maintenance operative or gardener.
This course is essential for anyone who uses a hedge cutter in a professional capacity as part of their work in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, grounds maintenance, greenkeeping, parks, gardens and also in amenity use. It will provide the individual with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to prepare and operate a hedge cutter safely and to industry standards in line with current legislation.
The assessment covers pre-use checks, maintenance, identification of controls and instruments, and operating the machine.
This qualification will support progression into employment where safe operation of handheld hedgecutters is part of the role. Safe operational skills are key to efficient use, good working practice and preventing accidents, leading to business benefits in terms of less machinery damage and down time.
Staff assessing these qualifications are approved Certificate of Competence City & Guilds NPTC Assessors. They do not have to be independent (not having taken part in the training of candidates), This effectively means that the same person can train and assess this qualification. Assessment may be carried out on the same day for small groups (1-3 persons) or on the day following training for larger course number (4-6 persons).
You will study the underpinning knowledge essential for correctly maintaining and safely operating a handheld hedge trimmer and receive tuition in how to maintain and safely operate a handheld hedge trimmer.
There are Units and each unit is divided into outcomes, which are divided into a number of assessment criteria which will be used by the Assessors during the assessment process.
Unit 1
Learning outcomes, the learner will:
LO1 Know the requirements of risk assessment, legislation and safety when preparing a hand-held hedge cutter (Criteria 1.1-1.6)
LO2 Carry out pre-start checks and maintain a hand-held hedge cutter (Criteria 2.1-2.4)
Unit 2.
Learning outcomes, the learner will:
LO1 Operate a hand-held hedge cutter (Criteria 1.1-1.4)
This qualification can be examined by the Trainer who delivered the training. An Independent Assessor who has not been involved with the training may also assess this qualification.
Small groups can be trained and assessed in one day (1-3 candidates), larger groups (3-6 candidates) trained on day one and assessed on another mutually convenient date. Assessment can take 1.5 – 3.00 hours and will always be at the venue at which you trained.
You will receive a City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Handheld Hedge Trimmers (0014-34).
Note this is issued directly by City & Guilds NPTC.
Option 1 – Integrated Assessment (Assessment is carried out by the person who trained you)
Training is £160.00 per candidate, registration through CEPT is £ 27.00 and certification with City & Guilds NPTC is £35.00, assessment is £72.00, total payable is £ 294.00. There is no VAT payable as B.E.S.T. in Horticulture Education Limited is a Not-for Profit Organisation.
Courses will take place our Ryton Centre. However, if you would like this course delivered at your own site please contact us, we would be pleased to discuss availability and cost. Please contact Tony Davies by email. tonydavies@bestinhorticulture.co.uk
To book your place on a course, click on the green 'Enrol on this Course' button below; but if you would like this course delivered in the workplace, please contact Tony Davies by email tonydavies@bestinhorticulture.co.uk
We have a very high success rate in preparing candidates for assessment, to date we have achieved 100% success!
Please note we supply trainees with all items of PPE for this course (with the exception of safety footwear, which must be supplied by the trainee/candidate).
You can go on to undertake training in a variety of Certificates of Competence applicable to your role. For example:
If you work as a garden maintenance operative (gardener), the following might be useful:
- Manual handling
- Safe application of pesticides (Pa1)
- Hand held applicators (Pa6)
- Occasional chainsaw user
- Brushcutter/strimmer
- Hand held hedge trimmer
- Pedestrian mower
- Leaf blower/vacuum
- Amenity shredder
- Ride on mowers
- Compact tractors
If you work as a landscaper, the following might be useful:
- Manual handling
- Safe application of pesticides (Pa1)
- Hand held applicators (Pa6)
- Occasional chainsaw user
- Brushcutter/strimmer
- Plant machinery 360 degree excavator
- Dumper
- Abrasive wheel machine
2nd July 2026, 8th October 2026, 13th May 2027
09.30 am
6
£294.00
£294.00
This course is essential for anyone who uses a handheld hedge trimmer in a professional capacity (as part of their normal duties). For example, a grounds maintenance operative or gardener.
| Course Availability | 2nd July 2026, 8th October 2026, 13th May 2027 |
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We have collected together some quick links to useful pages that you should find helpful.
B.E.S.T in Horticulture Education Limited, Registered in England No 14088275. (A not for profit organisation)
B.E.S.T. in Horticulture Ltd. Registered in England № 7739766.
