Apprentice Grounds Operative
MANVERS WATERFRONT BOAT CLUB
ROTHERHAM (S63 7DG)
Closes in 24 days (Monday 14 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 21 August 2026
Contents
Summary
Fantastic opportunity for nature lovers.
A Level 2 Horticultural and Land-Based Operative Apprentice will gain practical experience maintaining plants, grounds and outdoor spaces. Duties may include planting, mowing, pruning, landscaping, using machinery and tools, and following health, safety and environmental procedures.
- Wage
-
£12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday
9am to 3pm
30 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 21 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- 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
Your training and responsibilities as a Ground Operative Apprentice, will include (but not be limited to) the following:
- Follow the maintenance programme in grass cutting, strimming, pruning, planting and the aftercare of a wide variety of trees, shrubs and other plants.
- Ensure equipment is correctly maintained, operated and kept secure.
- Carry out waste management duties.
- Maintain clean working areas and equipment.
You’ll learn side-by-side with experienced Ground Keepers who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, giving you hands-on exposure to a wide range of tasks and a real understanding of how the whole business operates. With dedicated mentoring and support, you’ll build confidence, develop skills, and lay strong foundations for a long-term career.
If you’re motivated, eager to learn, and ready to take your first step with a supportive business, apply now. This opportunity at Mavers Lakes will be highly sought after — don’t miss your chance to get started.
Where you'll work
THE BOATHOUSE
STATION ROAD
WATH UPON DEARNE
ROTHERHAM
S63 7DG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
RNN 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).
- (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
The successful candidate will continue their studies with apprenticeship specialists, RNN Group at one of their campuses on a day release format, training will mainly be on the job and working with experienced staff giving you the training and support you need to become all-rounded and successful.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Interest in horticulture
- Some knowledge of open spaces
- Flexibility
- Good attitude to work
- Some DIY knowledge
- Tact & Diplomacy
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Ability to work independently
Other requirements
Manvers Lakes are looking for someone who can get there in a morning punctually (think about the location of the business and transport links), listen/learn and use their own initiative to quickly become a valued and productive member of the team. Must be comfortable working outdoors throughout the year.
Successful candidates will need to pass an advanced DBS Check.
About this employer
Manvers Lake was created in the 1990's as part of the remediation works following the closure of the Wath Main & Manvers Main colliery complex and associated railway yards.
One of the largest collieries was Manvers Main which incorporated what was at one time the biggest coking plant in Western Europe. From 1950 to 1956, Manvers became the centre of coal output from the collieries known as the South Manvers complex that were linked below ground, including Wath Main, Barnburgh Colliery and Kilnhurst.
The colliery complex was closed on 25th March 1988 and the regeneration that has taken place since those smog filled days is astounding. After closure, the site remained derelict until the mid-1990s, when Rotherham Council initiated an ambitious regeneration programme. Manvers, Wath Main Colliery and the Wath railway marshalling yard were demolished, cleared of contamination and landscaped. The site was given a new lease of life with the development of business parks, a nature reserve and the creation of Manvers Lake.
In addition to its amenity and recreational value, the lake also serves a functional purpose as a balancing lake forming part of a sustainable urban drainage scheme for the surrounding residential and industrial developments.
https://www.manverslaketrust.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Discount at the on-site café.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Further industry appropriate training.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
RNN GROUP
Lorraine
lorraine.savage@rnngoup.ac.uk
07713319356
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000049322.
Apply now
Closes in 24 days (Monday 14 September 2026 at 11:59pm)