Apprentice Gardener

GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL ATTN. OF THE PARISH CLERK

Warrington (WA5 3UA)

Closes in 22 days (Friday 19 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 28 May 2026

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Contents

Summary

Great Sankey Parish Council is looking to recruit an Apprentice Gardener to join its expanding Grounds Team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with an interest in horticulture, gardening and outdoor work to gain hands-on experience while studying towards a Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship through Myerscough College.

Wage

£20,700 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, typically 8.00am - 4.00pm includes lunch and breaks. Some flexibility may occasionally be required.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

  • Assist with grass cutting, strimming and edging
  • Help maintain flower beds, shrubs, hedges and planted areas
  • Support seasonal planting and landscaping projects
  • Weed and maintain pathways and landscaped spaces
  • Learn how to establish, cultivate and maintain plants and gardens
  • Assist with biodiverity projects and environmentally sustainable planting schemes
  • Learn about soil care, planting techniques and grounds management
  • Learn how to use horticultural tools and machinery
  • Work Safely and follow all Council Health & Safety procedures
  • Report hazards, faults or concerns promptly
  • Communicate politely and professionally with residents, councillors and colleagues
  • Represent the Council postively at all times

Where you'll work

Whittle Hall Community Centre Lonsdale Close
Great Sankey
Warrington
WA5 3UA

Training

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

Training provider

MYERSCOUGH 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3)
  • Maths (grade 3)

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
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Preferably hold a full UK driving licence, however, applicants must as a minimum hold a valid provisional driving licence.

About this employer

Great Sankey Parish Council manages parks, recreation grounds, community centre gardens and public green spaces for residents and visitors throughout Great Sankey.

The Council has recently expanded its in-house Grounds Team and continues to invest in improving local facilities and green spaces. Recent developments include:

  • The establishment of a new operational depot for the Grounds Team
  • Investment in sports pitch and playing field improvements
    Drainage improvement works funded through external grant funding
  • Ongoing landscaping, biodiversity and environmental enhancement projects across parish sites

This apprenticeship has been created as part of the continued growth of the Grounds Team and provides an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for horticulture, gardening and outdoor work to begin a career in grounds maintenance.

(see GSPC’s website and Facebook pages for more information and the Landscape Management Plan). https://www.facebook.com/GreatSankeyPC/

https://www.greatsankeypc.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

A qualified full time Gardener.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL ATTN. OF THE PARISH CLERK

Lynne Brereton

admin@gs-pc.net

01925 712279

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033845.

Apply now

Closes in 22 days (Friday 19 June 2026 at 11:59pm)