Gateshead Council
Horticultural Apprentice
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Horticultural Apprentice
Outstanding Horticulture Apprentice – Gateshead Council
**Full-time, Outdoor Role – Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship
Grow your career outdoors. Learn, earn, and make a difference.
About the Role & Organisation
Do you want to help create a Gateshead where everyone thrives? If so, join us and Leeds to make an impact—right now, we’re hiring talented people like you.
Gateshead Council operates at a pivotal moment, and we’re seeking a motivated Horticulture Apprentice to join our team.
We’re proud of our ambitious, people-centred approach to shaping Gateshead’s future. Our employees embody our core philosophy: supporting the progression of our borough. Through flexible working, a strong work-life balance, development opportunities, and a package packed with benefits, we attract and retain a dedicated workforce.
This is your chance to work outdoors, develop hands-on skills, and help maintain the gorgeous green spaces that Gateshead residents enjoy.
About Our Environment & Fleet Management Team
Our innovative team delivers everything from park maintenance (including Saltwell and Watergate Parks) to enviromental upkeep, fleet management, and beyond. We ensure Gateshead’s natural surroundings remain safe, clean, and inviting.
Our Opportunity – The Horticulture Apprenticeship
As part of our grounds maintenance team, this is your opportunity to:
- Learn and earn – Work towards a Level 2 Horticulture qualification.
- Build a fulfilling career while treating this as your hands-on development.
- Help transform local spaces – Your work will be seen by Gateshead residents every day.
What You’ll Do
As a Horticulture Apprentice, you’ll perform a range of tasks, from grass cutting to tree planting, while progressing towards your official qualification:
- Push yourself professionally: Actively participate in training, workplace, and college-based learning to complete a Level 2 Horticulture qualification.
- Grounds maintenance: Cut grass with pedestrian and ride-on equipment, support planting, pruning, and upkeep of green spaces.
- Equipment operation: Safely operate landscaping tools and machinery for all general duties.
- Maintain public spaces: Complete litter picking, sweeping, and bin emptying.
- Compliance & safety: Follow all health and safety procedures, regularly attend training.
- Outdoor weather work: Expect to operate across a range of weather conditions – from rainy days to bright sunshine.
- Custody & communication: Represent Gateshead Council professionally while delivering excellent customer service at all times.
- Enduring career requirements: Work the physically demanding aspects of the role safely and effectively.
- Drive towards professional certification: Develop your skill set with optional full UK driving licence training (if not already completed within 2 years).
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The Person
Essential Requirements:
- GCSE (or equivalent): Grades 4-9 in English and Maths (or equivalent).
- UK Driving Licence outstanding contribution:* Hold a full UK road-approved driving licence. If you don’t already have one, you should commit to achieving it within 2 years (at your own expense).
- Learner’s mentality: Bring determination, enthusiasm, and leadership skills to thoroughly grasp knowledge.
- Teamwork & communication: Cultivate strong collaboration and positive workplace relationships.
- Green-thumb passion: Demonstrated interest in outdoor work, particularly treelandscapes.
- Reliability focus: Show excellent organisation, punctuality and commitment to delivering professional work.
- Self-starter attitude: Be driven and focused on career progression.
The Benefits
Competitive base pay – Fair salary matching your skills and experience. Outstanding pension package – We care about your long-term security. Access Inland Revenue Protection. Generous leave entitlement – Enjoy 28 days paid holiday (expanding to 32 days after 5 years across the council), including generous Council-determined fixed days. You can also electively purchase up to 10 extra days. Lifelong learning support – Access hands-on training, professional development, and career progression opportunities. Wellbeing care – Invests in your mind and body, reducing stress and spurring a healthy and active lifestyle with exclusive offers at Gateshead Local (discounted gym memberships, mental health support). Cycle to Work Scheme – Tax-efficient programme to simplify your active commute. Onset, environment vehicle – After 12 months you can earn new electric/hybrid car savings that stretch your drive (powering up environmentally). VIVUP employee discount – Through our portal, receive extra mileage savings in shopping, travel, and attractive lifestyle; learning savings with salary sacrifices for essentials like home appliances.
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Our Commitment to All
Gateshead Council takes equality seriously.
We champion a buzzing culture where everyone feels part of it, respected and motivated—empowering success in what we do.
We proudly embrace applicants from all backgrounds – disability, CBSP (cold water, pregnant women), gender equality, refugees, and even motorcycle and cycling riders—recognising that diversity makes our teams stronger. Applications equally valued with two days within the application.
Application & Selection Process
Apply direct – Use the online application tab below. Guriously welcome you to detailed, evidence-based entries showcasing your skills, experiences, and suitability for Gateshead. Anything demonstrating personal engagement with community outdoor ventures or equivalent transferable skills will be particularly valued.
Questions? No issue! For further guidance, reach out to our recruitment team.
For Disabled applicants: Under Gateshead’s incrimination as a Disability-Confident Employer, we will provide an interview opportunity to every eligible candidate meeting essential criteria. However, in phases with high recruitment activity, we may have to prioritize: typically giving preference where possible, towards stronger skills and achievements first described within. We therefore encourage early submissions.
Note: The council reserves the right to precise close dates at shorter notice and lightens interview skills, scoring, recalling applications can vary. It’s our commitment to fair availability. Approximately, or encouraged to submit, shortly is suggested examination.
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