Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative
KRINKELS UK LIMITED
Lincoln (LN6 3QY)
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
Posted on 22 June 2026
Contents
Summary
As a Horticulture Operative Apprentice, you will support the maintenance and improvement of outdoor spaces through grounds maintenance and amenity horticulture. You will develop practical skills in turf care, planting, hedge maintenance and site presentation while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
- Wage
-
£26,436.80 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Working days will be discussed at interview.
Typical working hours are 7:30am to 4:00pm, although this may vary depending on operational and seasonal requirements.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 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 Horticulture Operative Apprentice, you will work alongside experienced staff to help maintain high standards across grounds, landscaped areas and cemetery spaces.
Duties will include:
- Carrying out grounds' maintenance and amenity horticulture tasks
- Maintaining shrubs, flowers, lawns and turf areas to a high standard
- Assisting with planting and seasonal bedding displays
- Supporting hedge cutting and general vegetation management
- Carrying out litter and leaf collection and emptying litter bins
- Cleaning and maintaining site ancillaries and public areas
- Assisting with cemetery and burial ground maintenance
- Supporting burial services where required
- Using horticultural tools and equipment safely and effectively
- Following health and safety procedures and safe working practices at all times
You will develop practical skills in horticulture, grounds maintenance and site presentation while working towards a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification.
Where you'll work
Westminster Industrial Estate
Station Road, North Hykeham
Lincoln
LN6 3QY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BISHOP BURTON 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
Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2.
The typical delivery model is 4 days per week in the workplace and 1-day per week dedicated to off-the-job training, which will include college attendance and apprenticeship learning activities.
Learning Will Take place at our Riseholme Campus.
Riseholme Showground Campus Horncastle Lane North Carlton LN1 2ZR.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3/D)
- Maths (grade 3/D)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
This is a physically active, hands-on role that involves regular walking, outdoor working and manual handling tasks across multiple sites in Lincoln. Candidates should be physically fit and prepared for practical work in all weather conditions. A willingness to work towards driving Category B vehicles would be advantageous. While the Hykeham depot is easily accessible by train and cycle, travel between sites will be required using teamwork vehicles.
About this employer
Looking for a career where you can learn new skills, earn while you train, and make a real difference every day? An apprenticeship with Krinkels could be the perfect place to start.
At Krinkels, you won't be stuck in a classroom all day. You'll gain hands-on experience working on real projects alongside experienced professionals who will support you every step of the way. From maintaining green spaces and public areas to helping create environments that people use and enjoy every day, you'll see the impact of your work first-hand.
We're a company that values people, not just qualifications. Whether you're leaving school, college, or looking for a different path into work, we'll help you develop practical skills, build confidence, and gain industry-recognised experience.
As an apprentice, you'll benefit from:
Learning while you earn
Working alongside experienced mentors
Developing valuable skills for the future
Being part of a friendly and supportive team
Opportunities to progress and build a long-term career
Working outdoors and staying active
Contributing to greener, more sustainable communities
At Krinkels, we believe in giving young people the opportunity to grow, take responsibility and succeed. If you're motivated, willing to learn and ready to get stuck in, we'll help you turn your potential into a rewarding career.
Your future starts here.
http://www.krinkelsuk.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
All Training and Personal Protective Clothing provided, 6-weeks full sick pay after 1-years' service.
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to secure a full-time permanent role within the company’s team of 60 employees based at the Hykeham, Lincoln depot.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE
Jade Bishop
apprenticeshipenquiries@bishopburton.ac.uk
01964553056
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038248.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026