Horticulture Apprenticeship

HORDEN PARISH COUNCIL

HORDEN (SR8 4LX)

Closes in 6 days (Thursday 12 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 2 March 2026

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Summary

Horden Parish Council offering an opportunity to join our busy, friendly team as a horticulture grounds maintenance apprentice, based in Horden. We will support you in learning a range of skills such as mowing (push and ride-on), hedge trimming, pruning and tree care, as you complete your Horticulture Level 2 apprenticeship.

Wage

£14,526.20 to £23,492.04, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

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Wage set at the National Minimum Wage for your age & not the National Minimum Wage for apprentices, this is the difference in total earnings as minim wage varies according to your age. Gov.uk can help with the calculation for your age.

Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
37 hours per week, details of timings to be given at interview.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 April 2026

Duration

1 year 7 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

Grounds Maintenance:

  • To use and maintain a full range of horticultural equipment, including ride-on mowers
  • Grasscutting and strimming
  • Preparation, planting flower beds and shrub beds
  • Assisting in the maintenance of sports pitches with grounds staff.
  • Marking up of sports pitches
  • Hedge cutting, tree pruning, turfing work, landscaping
  • General maintenance of fencing
  • Spraying of pesticides, fertilisers
  • Seat maintenance, painting
  • Play equipment repairing and painting
  • Litter picking, emptying litter bins and dog foul bins
  • Driving council vehicles, as required (subject to holding an appropriate licence)

 Cemetery Work:

  • Assisting cemetery staff with the re-opening and digging of graves with mechanical and non-mechanical equipment
  • Upkeep of grounds and open spaces

Where you'll work

COUNCIL OFFICES
HORDEN SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE
SEVENTH STREET
HORDEN
SR8 4LX

Training

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

Training provider

EAST DURHAM 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

  • Level 2 Horticulture Operative qualification
  • Functional Skills Level 2 in maths and English (unless exempt)
  • Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work
  • Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides
  • Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides
  • Using handheld equipment
  • Weekly day release into Houghall Campus, Durham
  • An assessor will visit you in the workplace every 4 weeks

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3 or above)
  • Maths (grade 3 or 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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

This role will involve working outside in all weathers, will involve physical work and requires a certain level of physical fitness.

About this employer

The main aim of the Parish Council has always been to provide good quality services, particularly in recreational facilities for local people. They own, manage and maintain two parks, 4 small play areas, playing fields and sports pitches as well as a cemetery and the Social Welfare Centre.

https://horden-pc.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Progression to the next level of qualification and the possibility of full-time employment for the right candidate.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

Adam Heslop

adam.heslop@eastdurham.ac.uk

01915185589

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000017969.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Thursday 12 March 2026 at 11:59pm)