Landscape Services Apprentice

Summary

To assist Landscape Services in delivering technical grounds maintenance and soft landscaping services for our customers, through practical and theoretical instruction, and in line with customer contract requirements.

Wage

£13,312 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

If over 18 then starting Salary will be £14,976 per annum. From April 2025 this will increase to £15,704 or £17,667 depending on age.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

The apprentice will be working 40 hours per week (if under 18) but if over 18 will be working 45 hours per week and pay will be adjusted accordingly. Working hours will be Monday to Friday 7am to 4.30pm including lunch

40 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 17 March

Duration

1 year

Positions available

2

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

These services will include

Several specialised outdoor services including commercial mowing, strimming and edging, shrub border maintenance (including planting), hedge cutting and weed control, turfing, soil sciences and related works as required.

Skillsets will be developed both through ‘learn-as-you-do’ practical experience and theoretical classroom learning.

You will work alongside our existing operational workforce to deliver a quality service with the support of an appointed mentor(s). This will include

Developing and delivering an excellent approach to customer service, and opportunity to develop additional skillsets around specialised equipment (such as tractors), minor equipment maintenance, quoting and sales. You will be expected to learn and adopt several custom programmes and technologies, both within the equipment you use and service management tools.

You will attend and attain skills and knowledge through college and/or related on-site courses with the aim of achieving NVQ or equivalent qualifications. These sessions or classes will offer the industry knowledge to succeed within this role, as well as helping you to develop and maintain good health and safety knowledge, always promoting safe work practices.

Alongside these two avenues of learning we expect all our apprentices to build upon their own knowledge of industry innovation, environmental sustainability and social value – both through work and your own learning - identifying opportunities where these factors can be used to improve the services we offer and pushing for positive environmental change in a way which supports Landscape Services and our customers.

A full DBS check (provided by the Company) is required for this role. You will be accompanied at all times and as such a driving licence is not mandatory, however you will require at least a provisional licence to be able to operate some equipment and you will need to find your own way to both college and work each day – therefore a current, clean driving licence is preferred.

Where you’ll work

1 Abbey Wood Road

Kings Hill

West Malling

Kent

ME19 4YT

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

NORTH KENT COLLEGE

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 or landscape construction operative
Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
You will be studying Horticulture or landscape construction operative at Hadlow college one day per week

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4/C or above)
Maths (grade 4/C or above)

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
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Team working
Initiative
Patience
Physical fitness
Punctual
Reliable
Hardworking
Approachable
Trustworthy

Other requirements

A full DBS check is required. A full driving licence or a Provisional driving licence will be required. Be able to travel to varying locations. To be able to work outside in all weather conditions.

About this company

Commercial Services Group (CSG) is one of the largest, local authority owned, trading organisations of its kind in the UK. Since its inception over 90 years ago as the supplies division of Kent County Council, it has grown organically to become one of the leading suppliers of products and services to the education and public sector, serving over 15,000 customers in 85+ countries. CSG is the umbrella for all its trading brands, it provides the support, dependability, and security to allow all brands to thrive independently. CSG are committed to providing an excellent customer and user experience underpinned by social value and a committed and empowered workforce.

https://www.commercialservices.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Full time Grounds Maintenance Operative, Team Leader, Supervisor, Manager

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NORTH KENT COLLEGE

Lucy Penniall

lucypenniall@northkent.ac.uk

01322629400

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000301126.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Friday 7 March at 11:59pm)

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