Grounds Maintenance Apprentice Level 2 - Oxford
I P M FACILITIES LTD
Didcot (OX11 0GD)
Closes in 22 days (Sunday 31 August 2025)
Posted on 8 August 2025
Contents
Summary
You will be responsible for maintaining outdoor spaces and landscapes on site, ensuring the highest standards in line with contract requirements. Working alongside a Grounds Maintenance team who will supervise the team, manage daily activities, and ensure that all equipment is properly maintained, used, and serviced.
- Wage
-
£18,720 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 07.00 to 15.30.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 15 September 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 9 months
- 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
Key Responsibilities:
Carry out a complete range of grounds maintenance tasks as directed by your line manager, including horticultural activities such as formative pruning of various plants, seasonal bedding installations, routine grass cutting, and watering of trees, shrubs, and bedding plants. Additional responsibilities include hedge trimming, irrigation, strimming, edge reformation, litter collection, and weed and leaf management.
Empty bins, including bag removal and bag replacement where appropriate and recycle where necessary.
To engage with the client when appropriate and in a professional manner, handling any issues and requests efficiently and in accordance with company procedure and policies.
Conduct regular inspections of grounds and report any potential on-site hazards or equipment malfunction and take corrective actions as needed. Ensure an efficient, effective response to incidents and emergencies, maintaining strong communication with colleagues and external services.
Ensure that you observe safety procedures and use safe working practices specifically regarding COSHH and Risk Assessments, reporting accidents and near misses to your line manager.
Ensure all power tools and grounds maintenance equipment, machinery and vehicles in your charge are secure, in good working order, carry out routine maintenance and refer major mechanical problems to your line manager.
Contribute to a positive team dynamic, building productive and professional relationships with team members, other employees, managers, clients, and external agencies.
Provide support in the completion of any necessary documentation or reports, such as timesheets or site condition updates, as needed.
If necessary, maintain safe driving practices while operating a vehicle, ensuring compliance with traffic regulations and prioritising the safety of yourself and others on the road.
Adhoc Duties - To undertake any other duties that may be required within your area of your responsibility.
Where you'll work
Thomson Avenue
Didcot
OX11 0GD
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
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
- Full Level 2 Horticulture Apprenticeship
- Funtional Skills where required
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
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
- Team working
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Full UK Driving Licence is essential due to the location and size of the site. Must be prepared to work outside in all weathers. Aged 18 or above for insurance purposes.
About this employer
IPM Facilities provide facilities, property and grounds maintenance services to some of the UK’s largest businesses. We work with our customers to ensure their buildings, work spaces and grounds are cleaner, safer and more efficient. IPM Facilities thrives on its people. Our team's dedication to delivering world-class service is key to our success. We build strong relationships with clients, offering a personal touch and tailored care for each property. Our growth is driven by the skill and commitment of every team member, ensuring excellent results for our clients, every time.
After this apprenticeship
To be part of a dynamic and progressive team working in one of the biggest science centres in Europe. IPM Facilities like to promote from within so if the applicant has the aptitude to work up through the ranks, it is something we as a company would encourage.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000336360.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Sunday 31 August 2025)
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