Apprentice Horticulture Worker (Cemeteries)
Halton Borough Council
Runcorn (WA7 4UB)
Closes in 16 days (Sunday 10 August 2025)
Posted on 23 July 2025
Contents
Summary
This role represents an opportunity to develop a range of practical horticultural skills; appropriate to the care and attention that is required to maintain high profile, well-regarded cemetery grounds and remembrance gardens.
- Wage
-
£18,592.50 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 8 September 2025
- Duration
-
2 years
- 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 training will cover the skills and horticultural practices that are needed through the different seasons of the year and will include; tree/shrub planting, formative pruning, grass establishment and mowing, strimming, application of fertilizer and herbicides. All to current best practice and certified standards.
All the experience and training gained in this role will form a strong basis for further career development and progression in landscape garden management and environmental based roles.
More specific responsibilities include:
- Work within the Environment Services Division, Cemeteries Team of Halton Borough Council undertaking horticultural and other land-based tasks
- Attend horticultural college at least one day per week in term time
- Complete a City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Practical Horticulture Skills
- To qualify in a number of set land based qualifications such as PA1 & PA6 – Herbicide Application and gain Lantra certification in the competent use of horticultural powered machinery including Pedestrian Controlled Petrol Driven Mowers, Handheld Brushcutters and Strimmers, and Ride-on Mowers over the two-year period
- Achieve certification in a number of cemetery-based qualifications including the Safe use of Excavators, Safety in the Burial Process, and Safe Use of Dumpers
- Assist members of the public to enjoy and appreciate Halton’s parks, open spaces and cemeteries
- Become familiar with and abide by the Environment Services Division work procedures document
Where you'll work
Picow Farm Depot
Picow Farm Road
Runcorn
WA7 4UB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE
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
You will undertake a two-year training period in Horticulture through a mixture of work based tasks and attendance at Myerscough College near Preston, which will result in City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Practical Horticulture Skills and ICCM accredited certificates in safety, first aid and working practices in cemetery grounds and cremations
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 3/D)
- Mathematics (grade 3/D)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Enthusiasm for horticulture
- Able to follow instructions
- Basic horticulture hand tools
Other requirements
Please bear in mind that you will be required to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
About this employer
Halton Borough Council is the local authority responsible for the borough of Halton, a unitary authority in Cheshire, England. All our colleagues at Halton have made a positive commitment to delivering great outcomes for our communities. Whoever joins us will share that passion for outstanding service, and strongly align with the values which define our workplace culture; Working Together – building fantastic relationships with colleagues and customers. Continuous Improvement – Keeping great service delivery at the heart of everything we do. Personal Growth – Learning, growing and developing ourselves. Accountability – doing what we say we are going to do. Inspiring Leadership – positive roles models and leading by example.
https://haltoncouncilcareers.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement, starting at 34 days per year (inc. bank holidays), flexible/hybrid working arrangements available, discounted shopping, gym membership, wellbeing hub, etc, as well as membership to salary-linked pension scheme.
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
- As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, you will receive guidance and support from our dedicated Apprenticeship Officer in applying for opportunities within Halton Borough Council
- We are eager to ensure that any apprentice that joins us as an apprentice, is given every chance to secure permanent, long-term employment with us
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Halton Borough Council
Michael Owen
michael.owen@halton.gov.uk
01515 117857
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000333390.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Sunday 10 August 2025)
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