Summary
Habitat Restoration are offering an exciting opportunity to join the team as a Grounds Operative, under the Horticulture apprenticeship standard. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a professional team, develop new skills and gain an insight into the industry.
Wage
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Pay may be negotiable depending on age and experience.
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm
40 hours a week
Start date
Monday 19 January 2026
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
The Grounds Operative will carry out seasonal site operations to a high professional standard, supporting the delivery of grounds maintenance, habitat restoration and woodland management contracts. The role involves safe and efficient use of machinery and hand tools, compliance with company health and safety standards, and maintaining a positive image of the business in public and client facing settings.
Responsibilities will include:
* Undertake grounds maintenance tasks in the summer months including strimming, mowing, hedge cutting, litter picking and other vegetation control in public spaces and footpaths
* Support tree planting and woodland management in the winter months including planting, weeding, mulching, guarding, thinning, coppicing and invasive species control
* Operate machinery and tools (strimmers, mowers, brushcutters, chainsaws where trained) in a safe, competent and efficient manner
* Assist with site preparation, fencing, path maintenance and general habitat restoration work
* Work as part of a team to deliver projects on time and to specification
Where you'll work
UNIT 2
ROCKHILL BUSINESS PARK
HIGHER BUGLE
ST AUSTELL
PL26 8RA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CORNWALL COLLEGE
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
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 be working towards a Level 2 Horticulture/ Landscape Construction Operative apprenticeship standard
* You will be required to attend Bicton College on a block release basis as part of the apprenticeship training
* You will receive support from an assessor and an apprenticeship advisor
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4)
* Maths (grade 4)
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
* Problem solving skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Enjoy working outdoors
* Awareness of Health and Safety
* Punctual
* Reliable
* Hardworking
* Desire to learn new skills
* Appreciation for wildlife
Other requirements
Essential: Enjoy working outdoors in all weathers A strong awareness of health and safety requirements. Good team working skills with the ability to follow instruction Punctual, reliable and hardworking Desire to learn new skills, be flexible and adaptable at work Enthusiasm and appreciation for wildlife and the environment Desirable: Understanding of UK habitats and ecology Background in machinery maintenance and use Full UK driving licence