Grounds Maintenance Operative Apprentice

MAJESTIC GROUNDS MAINTENANCE LTD

Harlow, Royston, ROYSTON

Closes in 31 days (Friday 22 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 21 April 2026

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Summary

Start your career in professional grounds maintenance with hands-on training, real qualifications and a supportive team. Earn while you learn and build a long-term future in a growing company.

• Wage:

  £18,720 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm

  45 hours a week

• Start date:

  Friday 29 May 2026

• 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

As a Grounds Maintenance Apprentice, no two days will be the same. You will work alongside experienced team members gaining hands-on skills across a variety of sites. Your typical day/week may include:

• Assisting with grass cutting, edging, strimming and general grounds maintenance tasks
• Supporting the planting and maintenance of shrubs, trees and flowerbeds
• Learning how to safely use tools and equipment under supervision
• Carrying out litter picking and ensuring sites are kept clean and presentable
• Supporting seasonal tasks such as hedge cutting, pruning and leaf clearance
• Attending college or training sessions as part of your qualification
• Learning health and safety procedures and safe working practices

You will be supported by an experienced team leader who will guide your development and help you build confidence in your skills.

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Neighbourhood Community Centre, Bridge Street, Newhall, Harlow, CM17 9ST
• Phillimore Garden Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, Royston, SG8 6EY
• THE MANSE, MALTING LANE, LITLINGTON, ROYSTON, SG8 0QT

Training

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

Training provider

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES 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.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4/C or equivalent)

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
• Team working
• Good timekeeping
• Willingness to learn
• Willingness to work outdoors
• Health & safety

Other requirements

This role involves working outdoors in all weather conditions and can be physically demanding. You will be on your feet for most of the day and working as part of a team across a variety of sites.

About this employer

Majestic Grounds Maintenance is a professional grounds maintenance company working across London and the South East. We provide high-quality services to residential developments, commercial properties and public spaces. As part of the Servtron Group, we are a growing business focused on reliability, safety and investing in our people to build long-term careers.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there is the opportunity to progress into a full-time Grounds Maintenance Operative role within the business. As you gain experience and qualifications, you may progress to:

• Senior Operative
• Team Leader
• Contracts Supervisor
• Contracts Manager

We actively support continued professional development, including further horticultural qualifications, specialist training and management development. Our aim is to develop long-term careers within Majestic Grounds Maintenance, not just short-term roles.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000026420.

Apply now

Closes in 31 days (Friday 22 May 2026 at 11:59pm)