Grounds Maintenance Apprentice
TOGETHER HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Blackburn (BB1 2QU)
Closes in 10 days (Friday 19 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 8 September 2025
Contents
Summary
An apprenticeship is available with the Environmental Services Team. The position involves practical training in grass cutting, hedge trimming, shrub maintenance, biodiversity habitat creation, and additional related activities, alongside working towards a Level 2 Horticulture qualification.
- Wage
-
£14,526.20 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Wage will rise in the second year dependent on age.
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 37 hours per week, working pattern to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 6 October 2025
- 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
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Carry out grass cutting using a combination of strimmers, small and large pedestrian mowers and ride-on mowers including playgrounds
- Carry out edging-off work to grassed areas using mechanical equipment.
- Carry out herbicide /pesticide applications.
- Cut back and prune hedges, shrubs, bushes and low trees using hedge trimmers, loppers, pole-saws, (manual or mechanical), or chain saws, (ground based).
- Clear all arisings, (grass cuttings, leaf litter, twigs and branches), etc from paths, steps, drives, shrub beds and gardens using mechanical blowers or manually sweeping and raking.
- Carry out seeding and turfing of grassed areas, planting or re-plating of shrub and flower beds, preparing and sowing wild flower beds and any other horticultural tasks.
- Litter pick and clear rubbish from landscaped areas, (soft or hard landscaping), in association with other grounds maintenance operations.
- Carry out all disciplines of grounds maintenance work to empty properties as directed, including clear and tidy gardens if required, as part of the re-let process as set out in the Service Standard.
- Inspect, clear, tidy, mow, strim and, if necessary, make safe play areas and play equipment, including carrying out minor repairs.
- Inspect all areas for hazards, damage, defects and graffiti; make safe, carry out minor repairs and/or report any issues.
- Record work done using manual or digital recording systems and procedures. Report any task which cannot be completed.
- Carry out basic checks, servicing and maintenance of equipment as specified in the relevant operator’s manual/handbook.
- Clear snow and ice and apply salt/grit to designated areas as directed.
- Re-treat wooden benches and other outdoor furniture, carrying out minor repairs in the process.
Where you'll work
11 Hurstwood Court, Mercer Way
Shadsworth Business Park
Blackburn
BB1 2QU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE OLDHAM 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 will attend regular off the job training sessions with your tutor and employer. This will be a combination of online and one to one in the workplace.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade 9-4/A*-C or equivalent)
- Maths (grade Grade 9-4/A*-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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
A full UK Driving Licence would be desirable but not essential.
About this employer
We are one of the largest housing associations in the North of England, managing over 38,000 homes across the North of England We are a non-profit organisation, meaning any money we make is invested back into the company for the benefit of our residents and local communities. In addition to providing quality homes to rent, we also build and manage homes for sale through the Shared Ownership scheme. Additionally we provide retirement living and Extra Care Housing. Not only do we provide homes, but through our charity, Newground Together, we fund a variety of voluntary and community projects, groups to help improve life and opportunities to work for local people.
After this apprenticeship
To progress onto level 3 or gain employment.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE OLDHAM COLLEGE
Andrea Kearns
andrea.kearns@oldham.ac.uk
0161 785 4072
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000339743.
Apply now
Closes in 10 days (Friday 19 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.