Horticulture (based in cemeteries) Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

West Yorkshire (WF1 2QW)

Closes in 11 days (Sunday 22 February 2026)

Posted on 4 February 2026

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Summary

Wakefield Council is the current National Large Employer of the Year for apprenticeships. We offer a great opportunity to learn the role of a Cemeteries Operative assisting with the preparation and maintenance of the district's cemeteries and 2 crematoriums. Learning the skills to use plant equipment, including mini digger and ride on lawn mowers.

• Wage:

  £14,526.20 to £23,492.04, depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Paid National Minimum Wage - 16-18yrs- £8,913, 18-20yrs- £12,656, 21-22yrs- £16,128, 23+yrs- £17,189 per yr. Receive 25 holiday days + 8 bank holidays Access to Local Government Pension scheme Access to subsided public transport

• Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
• Hours: The working week is: Monday to Thursday - 7.30am - 3.30pm. Friday - 7.30am - 3.00pm.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 18 May 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

• Develop skills and knowledge to assist in horticultural (gardening) tasks in cemeteries/crematoriums
• Develop skills on powered machinery and plant inc. mini digger ride-on mowers, side-arm hedge cutters (where 18+ years)
• Develop skills on powered machinery inc. back-pack blowers, pedestrian operated mowers, strimmers, hand-held hedge cutters (where 18+ years)
• Assist in undertaking a range of grave related work
• Assist in applying hand-held pest control treatment

Where you'll work

County Hall
Bond Street
WAKEFIELD
West Yorkshire
WF1 2QW

Training

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

Training provider

BARNSLEY 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 attend a local training provider, usually on day release, to gain a Level 2 qualification in horticulture
• Attend an Apprentice Induction
• Gain a health & safety qualification
• Attend enrichment activities to enhance your knowledge eg interview techniques, health & wellbeing, finance, disability awareness
• Have the chance to attend marketing events and also take part in activities during National Apprenticeship Week

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English Language (grade 9 to 2 (F or above) or equiv)
• Maths (grade 9 to 2 (F or above) or equiv)

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Physical fitness
• Resilience

About this employer

Wakefield Council is a local authority who provides many services to the citizens of Wakefield and the surrounding district. We are an ambitious, high achieving and low spending council, delivering value for money through efficiency and innovation. Continuous improvements to our high quality services means we need to employ talented and dedicated individuals to support our existing workforce.

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

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

• Gain a Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship standard 
• 2 years work experience in the public sector
• Personal support to seek employment 4 months from the apprenticeship ending
• The Apprenticeship programme has a high retention rate as there are many opportunities to gain employment within the Council

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BARNSLEY COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000012815.

Apply now

Closes in 11 days (Sunday 22 February 2026)

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