Open Spaces Apprentice

TAUNTON TOWN COUNCIL

Taunton England (TA1 5LY)

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 17 February 2026

---

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a keen interest in pursuing a career within open spaces. You’ll work alongside experienced maintenance staff to learn essential skills and contribute to the upkeep of town-owned parks and open spaces.

• Wage:

  £14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, working hours TBC.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 16 March 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 6 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

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support with, or directly undertake a range of grounds maintenance activities, including,but not limited to: planting, minor landscaping works and weed clearance, leaf collecting, watering, maintenance, litter picking and waste collections, within the Town Council’s allotments, parks, sports pitches and open spaces and on areas within the town and Council property as directed
• Identify opportunities for improvement in our open spaces and in our ways of working
• Follow risk assessments for all activities
• Be proactive and have a ‘can do’ attitude when presented with damage, graffiti,vandalism, flyposting, or a general untidy appearance across the town and support with clean up if appropriate
• Cutting back brambles and weeds to ensure that the paths are always usable. Make minor repairs and where possible complete landscaping works to keep these areas looking their best
• Carries out other duties relevant to the post as reasonably required by the Open Spaces Supervisor including providing support and cover to the Open Spaces Assistants

Personal Duties:

• To have due regard for your own health and safety and that of any colleagues who may be employed and the general public and to bring to the attention of the Council without delay any matters which may be prejudicial to health and safety best practices and policies
• To treat all colleagues, Councillors, partners, and members of the public with respect and equality
• To undertake tasks that fulfil the Apprenticeship Units and gain a portfolio of evidence towards accreditation

The post holder may be required to perform duties other than those given in the job description for the post.

Where you'll work

Taunton Town Council Depot
Cornishway North
Taunton England
TA1 5LY

Training

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

Training provider

UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP

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

• An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation
• At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying

Your training plan:

• Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2, including Functional Skills in English and maths if required
• The successful candidate will attend the Apprenticeship provider’s premises (Bridgwater & Taunton College, Cannington Campus) one day per week

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade C/4 and above)
• Maths (grade C/4 and above)

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
• Customer care skills
• Number skills
• Team working
• Willing to work outdoors
• Basic horticulture knowledge
• Enthusiasm
• Willing to learn new skills
• Punctual

Other requirements

• It is desirable (but not essential) to have knowledge of hand tools and horticultural machinery, along with a valid driving licence
• A relevant land management or countryside qualification would also be beneficial
• You will need to be willing to work outdoors in various weather conditions

About this employer

Taunton Town Council covers the previously unparished area of Taunton and parts of neighbouring parishes which were considered under a Community Governance Review. The Town Council takes in the unparished area of Taunton and the entirety of the former Comeytrowe Parish, the urban area within the former Maidenbrook Ward of Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish, and the majority of the former Staplegrove Parish.

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

• As you gain experience and expertise, you can advance by taking on more responsibilities
• There is the potential for the apprentice to progress into a position within the organisation; if the individual applies for a suitable vacancy and is successful through the recruitment process

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000016001.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 11:59pm)