Grounds Maintenance Operative Apprentice
AMEY SERVICES LIMITED
Sheffield (S2 3GE)
Closes in 30 days (Friday 6 March 2026)
Posted on 3 February 2026
Contents
Summary
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Grounds Maintenance Apprentice to join our Sheffield Local Authority account based in Sheffield.
- Wage
-
£25,536 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday – Friday 07:00 -15:30.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 3 months
- Positions available
-
2
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
The Grounds Maintenance Apprentice will be fully involved at the operational level, helping to drive change to ensure we meet the Amey Group and Client goals, making our highways activities the future proof. You will play a key role in transforming the carbon and climate change ambitions of key clients into real actions, whilst we help you to develop essential skills for building future-proof organisations.
From day one you will be given real responsibility, gaining invaluable experience and exposure, working alongside our industry experts and across your team. As an apprentice you will be working alongside the team to deliver the following:
- Storm Clearance.
- Tree Planting and young tree maintenance.
- Operate and maintain light plant and power tools.
- Pesticide/Herbicide spraying.
- Propagation duties.
- Composition/waste management.
- Maintenance of ornamental grass.
- Identification of plants including scientific names.
- Biodiversity and invasive species legislation.
- Establish and maintain soft landscape (perennial and annual).
- Carry out any other duties which may reasonably be expected/requested.
Where you'll work
Olive Grove Depot, Olive Grove Road
Sheffield
S2 3GE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
GREY SEAL ACADEMY LIMITED
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).
- (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.
Training schedule
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative level 2 apprenticeship which will take approximately 27 months to complete. You will be fully supported by our partnered college to achieve this qualification, having 1-2-1 advice and support, e-learning materials, and a whole team of experts on hand for advice and technical knowledge at your office.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
If you do not have GCSE/functional skills qualifications, you must achieve a minimum of entry level 3 in Maths and English during initial assessment.
Full UK driving license. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for consideration, due to the nature of the work associated with this account. Please note that successful applicants will be required to undergo random drug and alcohol testing in line with our commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant working environment.
About this employer
Amey is a leading infrastructure services and engineering company. Our 11,000 people are behind the critical services the country relies on every day and we each take personal pride in our public service. Our unique engineering and operations experience, together with data driven insight from our consulting business, delivers better results for our clients. We are trusted partners of Government – both national and local – managing assets and complex projects that are vital to the country.
http://amey.co.uk (opens in new tab)
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
Throughout your programme, you will receive first-class mentoring and a structured learning and development programme to enable your professional and personal development.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
GREY SEAL ACADEMY LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000344982.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Friday 6 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.