Grounds Maintenance Apprentice

Summary

Enjoy working outdoors and want to make a difference? Join Community Housing as a Grounds Maintenance Apprentice, where you’ll work to maintain safe, well‑cared‑for communities while building hands‑on skills and completing a Level 2 qualification.

Wage

£15,643 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£15,643 - £25,356 per annum (Dependent on age and level)

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, Shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 3 August 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

Learn how to maintain green spaces and communal areas, including grass cutting, weeding, hedge cutting and litter picking
Support landscaping work such as planting shrubs and laying turf, helping keep outdoor spaces safe, tidy and welcoming
Work alongside experienced Environmental Maintenance Operatives and develop practical, hands‑on skills
Take part in training sessions to build knowledge, confidence and safe working practices
Work professionally and respectfully alongside colleagues and members of the community, representing Community Housing in a positive way
Learn to work safely at all times by following company procedures, using tools and equipment correctly

Where you'll work

3
Foley Grove
Foley Business Park
Kidderminster
DY11 7PT

Training

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

Training provider

HEREFORDSHIRE, LUDLOW, AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE 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’ll receive a mix of practical, on-the-job learning with Community Housing and off-the-job training provided by an external provider
Rather than attending college on a weekly basis, the provider will visit you in the workplace for regular reviews, observations and support sessions
You’ll be supported to build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your learning and progress, working towards a Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative qualification
Full details of the training arrangements will be confirmed once a successful offer has been made

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 3 (D) or above, or equivalent)
Maths (grade 3 (D) or above, 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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

About this employer

Community Housing was formed in 2000 through a stock transfer from Wyre Forest District Council. We are a social business and one of Worcestershire’s largest Registered Providers of social housing, managing around 6000 homes and offering a range of services that help people to live independently.

We are proud of what we have achieved so far for the people and communities we support. Over the coming years we are focused on helping people to thrive and live independently, knowing they have a secure place they can call home, that they can afford, and with a landlord who cares about them.

https://www.communityhousing.co.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

You’ll gain real‑world experience in a supportive environment, contribute to work that improves neighbourhoods and quality of life, and develop skills that can support your future career
Many of our colleagues began their careers as apprentices, and we’re proud to invest in developing future talent

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HEREFORDSHIRE, LUDLOW, AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032934.

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

Requirements

Essential qualifications

Skills

About this employer

Disability Confident

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now

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Grounds Maintenance Apprentice

Contents

Summary

Work

What you'll do at work

Where you'll work

Training

Training provider

Training course

What you'll learn

Training schedule

Requirements

Essential qualifications

Skills

About this employer

Disability Confident

After this apprenticeship

Ask a question

Apply now