Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative - Horticulture Level 2 – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

You will be working in all weathers and in close proximity to the public and other site employees. As an Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative, you will assist the teams of Grounds Maintenance Operatives in ensuring that the sites are maintained to the highest possible standards in accordance with good horticulture practice.

Wage

£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

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Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm, 7.30 start in the winter

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 5 May 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Working towards an Level 2 in Horticulture over 2 years of on the job and supported learning, conducted both on and off site and online with a dedicated tutor and wider training provided through on the job training.

This is an ideal role to start your career in the Horticultural industry learning all the required skills and practices to become a qualified Gardener Skills and experiences: The successful candidate will possess some or all the following skills:

Educational Certificates to demonstrate a good standard of numeracy and English grammar
Effective oral and written communication skills necessary to meet the duties of the post
Experience of a customer servicing role or training will be an advantage
An interest in working in a park or landscape environment
Ability to work outside in all weather conditions
Ability to develop new skills in horticulture and a willingness to learn about plants and landscaping
Aptitude to communicate effectively with colleagues and members of the public
Ability to establish and sustain good working relationship within a team environment

Where you’ll work

Ridgeway farm, Malvern Road
Worcester
WR2 4SN

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

Your training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
(Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
(Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
(Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
(Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
(Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
(Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.
(Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).
(Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.
(Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
(Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
(Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
(Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
(Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
(Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.

Your training plan

Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship Level 2
Functional Skills where required

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Team working
Physical fitness

Other requirements

You must be happy to work outside in all weather conditions. The salary stated is for 18-20 years old £10.00 an hour 16 -17 years old - £7.55 an hour 21+ years old £12.21 an hour

About this company

We care about your outdoor spaces. Whether you are a private business, a charity, a housing association, or a place of worship, your buildings will sit within an outdoor space and your grounds will need commercial grounds maintenance. Your clients will park their cars and walk to your front door, your employees will begin their working day by walking through your outdoor space. People will go to and from their houses across your grounds. The public will pass by. What do you want them to see? Green spaces are moments of tranquillity in a hectic urban landscape. They allow people space to breathe, time to gather their thoughts. Green areas allow the eyes room to wander and the mind to expand. Together we can help you to optimise your grounds. Endless tarmac, with straggly shrub beds and windblown leaves, never inspired anyone. But carefully designed and discretely maintained green spaces can benefit us all.

After this apprenticeship

The aim is to offer a permanent position once the apprenticeship is successfully completed

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000314669.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025)

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Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative - Horticulture Level 2

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