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Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative
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Working as a great team player, you'll assist your mentor in carrying out grounds work and maintenance to the external parts of Abri's properties in an efficient and effective manner ensuring that all works are in accordance to a good grounds maintenance practice.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Your day will include developing skills relevant to grounds maintenance to support the upkeep and standards of our housing stock, as well as gaining an understanding of health and safety requirements, legislation, and relevant Codes of Practice. You will be supported throughout by your supervisor and a dedicated mentor, while also attending college and completing all coursework on time and to a high standard.
Where you'll work
Western Peninsula
Western Road
Bracknell
RG12 1RF
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
- Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
- Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
- Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
- Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
- Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
- Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
- Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
- Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
- Install turf for situation.
- Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
- Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
- Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
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(Landscape construction)
- Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
- Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
- Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
- Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
- Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
- Install drainage in landscaping.
- 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.
- Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
- Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
- Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
- Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
- Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
- Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
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Training schedule
This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.
Desirable qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Maths (grade C/4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Team working
Other requirements
We expected colleagues to demonstrate the Abri values and behaviours. More information on these is available on the Abri careers webpage.
About this employer
Abri is a large housing provider who own and manage more than 58,000 homes and various community assets, serving around 113,000 customers across the South of England.
We believe everyone has the right to a good quality safe, warm and sustainable home in a community where they can belong, grow and thrive.
More information about Abri and our strategic objectives can be found at www.abri.co.uk.
https://www.abri.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 28 days holiday
- Generous pension scheme with contributions up to 10%
- Life assurance of 5x your annual salary
- Generous parental & family leave
- Health and wellbeing packages
- Electric car scheme
- Flexible working
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
The apprentice role is on a fixed term basis, with the aim of the postholder applying for a permanent role within the organisation on completion of their apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is: THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP homecareapprentices@abri.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000054682.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Wednesday 7 October 2026)
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