Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative

As a Horticulture Operative Apprentice, you will support the maintenance and improvement of outdoor spaces through grounds maintenance and amenity horticulture. You will develop practical skills in turf care, planting, hedge maintenance and site presentation while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

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

As a Horticulture Operative Apprentice, you will work alongside experienced staff to help maintain high standards across grounds, landscaped areas and cemetery spaces.

Requirements

• GCSE in: English (grade 3/D)
• GCSE in: Maths (grade 3/D)
• Physically fit and prepared for practical work in all weather conditions
• Willingness to work towards driving Category B vehicles is advantageous

Responsibilities

• Carrying out grounds' maintenance and amenity horticulture tasks
• Maintaining shrubs, flowers, lawns and turf areas to a high standard
• Assisting with planting and seasonal bedding displays
• Supporting hedge cutting and general vegetation management
• Carrying out litter and leaf collection and emptying litter bins
• Cleaning and maintaining site ancillaries and public areas
• Assisting with cemetery and burial ground maintenance
• Supporting burial services where required
• Using horticultural tools and equipment safely and effectively
• Following health and safety procedures and safe working practices at all times
• Developing practical skills in horticulture, grounds maintenance and site presentation
• Working towards a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification
• Applying health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies.
• Following safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context.
• Applying 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.
• Selecting, undertaking a pre start check, setting up, cleaning, storing and safely operating tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
• Communicating with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
• Identifying plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
• Maintaining the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
• Identifying and reporting symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
• Maintaining plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
• Cultivating, improving and preserving soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
• Clearing unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
• Removing unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
• Planting shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
• Installing turf for situation.
• Mowing turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
• Maintaining or protecting hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
• Using digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
• Measuring and setting out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
• Using free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
• Repairing constructed landscape features (simple and non-complex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
• Constructing paved features for example paths, patios or shed bases. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
• Constructing vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
• Installing drainage in landscaping.
• Constructing horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).
• Propagating plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.
• Providing aftercare to recently installed turf and maintaining established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
• Identifying if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
• Maintaining soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
• Monitoring and controlling plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
• Planting herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
• Pruning plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).