Apprentice Grounds and Maintenance Person
ASPECTS BEAUTY COMPANY LIMITED
Lewes (BN8 4AP)
Closes in 27 days (Friday 29 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 30 July 2025
Contents
Summary
We are looking for an apprentice to help look after and maintain Balneath Manor and its land. This is a unique chance to work in a historic setting and develop a variety of skills in the horticulture sector. You would gain a well-rounded skillset and learn from a passionate and dedicated team.
- Wage
-
£23,809.50 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
08:30 – 17:30 hrs on Monday – Thursday, 08:30 – 14:30 hrs on Friday.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 15 September 2025
- 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
Duties will vary day to day, but will involve the maintenance of the grounds (Balneath Manor, Balneath House, Balneath Manor Cottage, Balneath Manor Farm, Balneath Manor West) to a professional standard, this will include:
- the maintenance of hedges, lawns, flower beds, shrubberies, copses, woods and paddocks, fencing and outbuildings.
- strimming, mowing, weeding, seasonal clearance of fallen leaves and removal of any fallen branches.
- undertaking the planting, seeding, pruning, propagating and thinning of garden plants, shrubs and trees.
- maintenance of ponds and pools, including the removal of algae, cutting back of water plants and cleaning and maintenance of fountains and other air filtration equipment.
- assisting with the moving and carrying of furniture and heavy objects, as well as occasional small office maintenance duties.
Where you'll work
Balneath Manor
South Chailey
Lewes
BN8 4AP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PLUMPTON 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
The training for the apprenticeship will take place in-person at Plumpton College for one day per week during term time.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
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
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Detail oriented
- Independence
- Time keeping skills
- Must like working outside
Other requirements
We are based in a rural location with limited public transport access, so having access to your own transport is highly advised.
About this employer
Founded in 1989, Aspects Beauty is a fragrance distribution and brand management company in the UK and Ireland. We work with global, niche and beauty brands and offer fully integrated and comprehensive marketing support. From the very beginning, we’ve had three guiding principles: Do it well, think differently, lead the way. We put beautiful brands in the right hands and strive to create optimum success. We build, nurture, and protect through seamless in store execution, bespoke marketing campaigns and unrivalled attention to detail.
http://www.aspectsbeauty.com (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
We offer free on site parking, an enhanced pension after our qualifying period, private medical insurance, group life assurance, employee assistance programme and product discounts.
After this apprenticeship
Potential for a permanent gardening role within the organisation.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ASPECTS BEAUTY COMPANY LIMITED
Jenny Mockford
jenny.mockford@aspectsbeauty.com
07546 414645
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000334586.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Friday 29 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
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