Landscape & Grounds Maintenance Apprentice

DOBSON UK LLP

LINCOLN (LN6 4RY)

Closes in 29 days (Friday 14 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 15 July 2026

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Summary

The apprentice will work on commercial and housing landscaping projects, developing practical skills in soft and hard landscaping. They will gain experience in planting, turfing, paving, fencing, ground preparation and general landscape construction while completing the Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative apprenticeship.

• Wage:

  £17,680 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salary: Dependent on age and experience, £8.50–£10.85 per hour (£17,680–£22,568 per annum, based on a 40-hour working week).

• Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:00am - 1:45pm, plus travel time back from site at the end of the working day. Exact finish times may vary depending on the location of the work site and daily operational requirements.

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 14 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

• Assist with commercial planting schemes and seasonal planting.
• Support the creation and establishment of woodland areas.
• Carry out turfing and ground preparation.
• Install mulch mats and apply mulch to planting areas.
• Undertake weed control and amenity spraying (under supervision and where appropriate).
• Water and establish newly planted trees, shrubs and landscaped areas.
• Mow grassed areas using a range of equipment.
• Strim around obstacles, borders and landscaped features.
• Trim and maintain hedges and shrubs.
• Carry out general grounds maintenance and landscape aftercare.
• Assist with hard and soft landscaping projects.
• Use and maintain horticultural tools, machinery and equipment safely.
• Work as part of a team to deliver commercial landscaping and environmental projects to a high standard.

Where you'll work

OLD HAGG FARM
SAXILBY ROAD
DODDINGTON
LINCOLN
LN6 4RY

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

The apprentice will typically spend four days per week in the workplace, developing their practical skills and experience, and one day per week attending college to complete their off-the-job training.

College-based training will be delivered at Riseholme College, Showground Campus, Horncastle Lane, North Carlton, Lincoln, 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

• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience
• Physical fitness
• Punctual
• Committed
• Self Motivated
• Positive approach to learning

Other requirements

This is an outdoor role working in all weather conditions. You must be flexible and adaptable, as workloads, client requirements and priorities can change at short notice in a fast-paced environment. Some projects are located away from home and may require overnight stays. A full, clean driving licence is desirable and will be highly advantageous.

About this employer

Join one of the UK's leading commercial landscaping contractors with nearly 40 years of industry experience. Work on diverse, large-scale projects across the UK, gain hands-on experience from skilled professionals, develop nationally recognised qualifications, and build a long-term career with a company that invests in training, development and progression.

https://www.dobson.uk.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Statutory holiday and sick pay, overtime and weekend work available at enhanced rates, plus regular team-building and wellbeing activities to promote a positive work-life balance and supportive team environment.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Successful completion of the apprenticeship may lead to a permanent full-time position, with opportunities to progress onto higher-level qualifications and continue developing your skills and career within the business.

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 VAC2000042915.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Friday 14 August 2026 at 11:59pm)