Green Space Apprentice

Summary

We are looking to recruit 3 Landscaping Apprentices, that have a genuine passion, interest & desire to work within our Horticulture and Landscaping team to improve the green spaces of our great City, within the Parks & Countryside Service. Recruitment/ appointment will be based purely upon merit.

Wage

£19,180.80 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£28 per month towards travel £400 for completing probation period

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday: Between 7am and 5pm, Breaks TBC.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

3

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

Based at one of our locations across Sheffield within the Parks & Countryside Service you will:

Working under the direction of a team leader/supervisor, to carry out defined landscape management work to our green spaces, to ensure that they are clean, safe, sustainable & attractive
Using (after undertaking training) a full range of landscape tools & equipment, to manage & maintain our green spaces to a high standard
Undertake all other associated tasks within the team, including both & hard and soft landscaping along with any other physical maintenance and repairs
Working with & alongside internal and external partners,
especially volunteers and ‘Friends Of’ groups
Work safely at all times in accordance with established Safe Systems of Work, Health and Safety Guidelines and all SCC Policies and Procedures
Understand and experience the different seasonal activities and tasks that occur throughout the year
Understand the planning/use of resources, along with the prioritisation of different workloads

Where you'll work

Town Hall
Pinstone Street
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S1 2HH

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL

Your 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.

Your training plan

Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
Health & Safety at work
SCC online learning
Regular toolbox talks

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English & Math (grade 4/C Equivalent or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Applicants should also be aware that this is often practical/physical work, is mainly outdoors, and does involve working in different and often challenging weather conditions. This may involve undertaking a range of environmental and landscape related duties across the city.

About this company

Wherever you are in Sheffield, there's sure to be a park, playground, woodland or other green space nearby to enjoy. These are created, serviced and maintained by Sheffield City Council's Parks and Countryside Service

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/parks-sport-recreation/parks-green-spaces (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the Apprenticeship, you will move into full-time employment

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL

Lee Hinchliffe

lee.hinchliffe@sheffield.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000332073.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 3 August 2025)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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