Grounds Maintenance Apprentice
M J GRANGER GROUNDS MAINTENANCE LTD
Shillington (SG5 3NY)
Closes on Sunday 29 November 2026
Posted on 8 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you looking for a Grounds Maintenance Apprenticeship? If so then M J Granger Grounds Maintenance based in Shillington, Bedfordshire are looking for you to join their team. Keep reading the job description below to see what you will be doing in the role.
- Wage
-
£20,800 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 7.30am - 4.45pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 28 December 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 3 months
- 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
M J Granger Grounds Maintenance Ltd create and maintain high quality green spaces, that their customers and workforce feel proud to call their own, using environmentally friendly practices. They use modern equipment which is renewed on a bi-annual basis. This means they will always have the most appropriate piece of equipment for the job.
As an apprentice you will be working as part of a team, you will be assisting the employers main contracted sites, including grass cutting, litter picking, hedge cutting and other aspects of grounds maintenance.
Working as part of this friendly team your duties will include:
- Ground Maintenance at a number of commercial customer sites
- Maintenance of hedges, grass ,pruning- weed control
- Operating machinery for grounds upkeep once fully trained. (e.g, Ride on Mowers and various other mechanical pieces of equipment)
- Assist in removal of litter and general good upkeep of customer sites
As an apprentice you will be expected to represent the company in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
As an apprentice, full training will be given for all elements of the duties and responsibilities described.
Base salary of £20,800 for year one.
Year two - age 18-21 would be £22,568.00 and age 21+ would be £26,436.80.
A current driving licence would be preferable or at least be ability to arrive at their depo in Shillington for a 7.30am start.
College attendance is 2 days a month at Shuttleworth College and 2 days a month study at home.
Emergency First Aid and full PPE will also be provided.
Where you'll work
The Wood
29 Bury Road (Track next to No: 31 Bury Road)
Shillington
SG5 3NY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BEDFORD 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 or Landscape Operative - Horticulture Pathway
- Functional Skills in English and maths if required
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 9 - 3)
- Maths (grade 9 - 3)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- communication skills
- hardworking
- team player
- Customer care skills
- Good time keeper
Other requirements
Candidates must attend an initial interview with a member of the Bedford College Apprenticeship Recruitment Team. Please note this is part of the recruitment process and must be completed in order for your application to be progressed to the next stage.
Please consider how you will get to work each day. And to Shuttleworth College twice a month.
Please be aware that the closing date is subject to change without prior notice.
Look at the location of the employer and be sure you can get there.
A current driving licence would be preferable or at least be able to arrive at their depo in Shillington for a 7.30am start.
About this employer
Grangers Grounds Maintenance is an established UK contractor delivering compliant, reliable and professional grounds maintenance services for local authorities, housing providers, heritage sites and public and private bodies. From historic landscapes and visitor attractions to housing estates, sports facilities and public open spaces, we provide grounds services that meet the highest standards of safety, presentation and environmental care.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Opportunity to be employed full time and to become a Team Leader on completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BEDFORD COLLEGE
Julie Carter
jcarter@bedford.ac.uk
(01536) 413508
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000057973.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 29 November 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.