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Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship
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Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship
SOUND SITE SERVICES LTD
Lostwithiel (PA22 0AX)
Closes in 17 days (Friday 30 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 12 October 2026
Summary
The team at Sound Site Services are excited to be offering an opportunity for a motivated individual to join them as a Horticulture and Landscaping Operative Apprentice. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the industry and learn new skills.
Wage
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates
Training Course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.00pm, for an average of 37.5 hrs per week. This includes the day release at college.
Start Date
Monday 9 November 2026
Duration
1 year 6 months
Positions Available
1
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 in a small team you will be caring for the grounds maintenance on our clients' premises. You will move from site to site during the day in a company vehicle. This includes:
- Grass cutting via a pedestrian or a ride-on lawnmower
- Strimming
- Weed control
- Hedge cutting
- Litter picking
Working safely following the Site Risk Assessment and Method Statement.
Full training and supervision will be given for the job role and for the use and care of the machines.
Where You'll Work
The Stables
Victoria
Lostwithiel
PA22 0AX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training Provider
CORNWALL COLLEGE
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).
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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).
Requirements
Essential Qualifications
- GCSE in: English (grade D/C)
- Maths (grade D/3)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
Other Requirements
Reliable travel arrangements to the site and to college do need to be considered.
About This Employer
Since 2012 Sound Site Services have provided high-quality grounds maintenance, landscaping, groundworks and construction services to both domestic and commercial clients. We are a proud member of the Safe Contractors Scheme and are Sustainably Verified by them. Our Commercial Grounds Maintenance teams provide professional grounds maintenance services across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.
After This Apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
There are opportunities for a full-time position after completion of the Apprenticeship Programme and then possible progression opportunities to a Team Leader Position in the future.
Ask a Question
The contact for this apprenticeship is: CORNWALL COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058508.
Apply Now
Closes in 17 days (Friday 30 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
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