Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative L2 Apprenticeship

SCAPES GROUP LIMITED

Surrey (RH5 5HW)

Closes in 30 days (Monday 1 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 1 August 2025

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Summary

This superb opportunity, ideally suited to anyone who is genuinely interested pursuing a career in horticulture, offers the chance to kick-start their journey as a Grounds Maintenance Operative Apprentice with Groundscapes Limited whilst studying for a Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative L2 Apprenticeship.

Wage

£19,760 a year

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Annual

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
40 hours a week - Monday to Friday 7.30am - 4pm with breaks during to the day and one day at college

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 7 October 2025

Duration

2 years 4 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

Due to continued growth, Groundscapes Limited are looking for an enthusiastic Grounds Maintenance Operative to join the company and help provide excellent communal garden maintenance services to our Registered Social Landlords (Housing Associations) clients in Surrey/Sussex areas.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Grass cutting, strimming, hedge cutting, pruning, spraying, litter picking and maintaining flower beds & shrubs
  • Displaying a positive, friendly attitude and great customer service skills
  • To always represent the company, maintaining a cool, calm and professional demeanour, especially when faced with any challenge or issue
  • To be a good team player
  • To be committed to completing the apprenticeship and operate to the highest standards

Where you'll work

Scapes Group Ltd Coles Lane
Ockley
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 5HW

Training

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

Training provider

CHICHESTER COLLEGE 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

Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Mentoring with experienced colleagues.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Maths (grade 9-4)
  • English (grade 9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Willing to learn
  • Team Player
  • Follows instructions
  • Professional manner
  • Calm under pressure
  • Good communicator
  • Able to adapt
  • Excellent time management
  • Physically fit
  • Happy to work in all weather
  • Personable
  • Reliable
  • Punctual
  • Good work ethic

Other requirements

• This role is part of a mobile round covering various sites across a large geographical area and, providing they are within a commutable distance to the driver, the successful candidates will be collected from home in the morning. • Day release would be at Brinsbury College near Pulborough with limited public transport. • This is a 28-month apprenticeship including end point assessment. • This role will be physically demanding with long days and only those who are committed to completing the apprenticeship and looking for a long-term career in Horticulture should apply. • It would be an advantage to hold a full & valid manual (not automatic) driving licence, although it should be noted that, for fleet vehicle insurance purposes, all drivers must be at least 21 years of age for this to apply. • Applicants MUST BE resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and have work authorisation for the UK. • Applicants WILL NOT BE eligible to apply if they have already achieved a qualification which is equal to or higher thank the apprenticeship standard on offer. • Applicants MUST BE resident in the area local to the apprenticeship opportunity or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study. Applicants MUST BE committed to the learning and stay to the end of the apprenticeship. • The role is Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours a week and occasionally we can offer Saturday overtime to staff who are interested in topping up their income. • We offer a competitive salary, paid holidays, an optional workplace pension, and the opportunity to work in a great team within a growing organisation. • We provide full PPE, uniform and equipment and all parking and fuel is paid for.

About this employer

Groundscapes Limited is a forward thinking and professional business that can significantly improve and maintain grounds and estates. They look to operate on a partnership basis with clients and suppliers to ensure they have a full understanding of each other’s needs. Quality, commitment and professionalism are at the heart of the way they deliver services to their customers. First class communication and responding to clients’ needs quickly are essential in the way they work.

After this apprenticeship

There is the potential for a full-time position on successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000335116.

Apply now

Closes in 30 days (Monday 1 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

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