Internal applicants MUST apply via Opportunity Marketplace. Please ensure you complete your SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS via “Me” tab/tile on Fusion or by clicking on the application link in the section of the application form titled “REVIEW SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS”.
ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by 16 April at 11.55pm
Please note this is a fixed term post for up to 4 years.
Location: Various locations throughout South Lanarkshire
Hours: 37 hours per week.
Work Pattern: Monday - Friday
Salary: £26, per annum
Modern Apprentice Recruitment – Greenkeeping, Arboriculture & Horticultural Engineering Mechanics
Please ensure you read all of the text below before clicking “Apply”. This is important to make sure you understand the full process and do not miss any key deadlines, as we will not be able to extend any timescales
Who we are
South Lanarkshire Council delivers a wide range of services that support every community across the area. Grounds Services, which sits within Community and Enterprise Resources, is responsible for the maintenance, management and improvement of the Council’s land‑based assets, including parks, sports facilities, cemeteries, golf courses, open spaces, woodlands and landscaped areas.
Grounds Services consists of several specialist operational areas, including:
1. Greenkeeping Teams – responsible for managing and maintaining golf courses and fine turf surfaces.
2. Arboriculture Teams – responsible for tree inspection, maintenance, felling, safety operations and woodland management.
3. Horticultural & Machinery Services – including the maintenance, servicing and repair of grounds‑maintenance equipment and machinery.
We are now recruiting Modern Apprentices across these specialist areas.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with a genuine interest in the land‑based sector and a commitment to developing their skills. Successful candidates will receive training that combines:
4. On‑the‑job experience, working alongside experienced greenkeepers, arborists and machinery technicians.
5. College‑based learning, gaining the technical knowledge and nationally recognised qualifications required for your chosen discipline.
6. Development of core and meta‑skills, including communication, problem‑solving, teamwork and professional behaviour.
You do not need experience in your chosen field — just a willingness to learn, a positive attitude and an interest in outdoor, practical work.
The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in it’s workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background and from those who are new scots.
We are specifically looking for applicants who recently attended a South Lanarkshire Council secondary school and/or live in the South Lanarkshire area. Applicants must be 16 years of age by 26/09/ and no older than 19 years of age by 06/08/.
South Lanarkshire Council and Skills Development Scotland recognise that disabled people and those who are care-experienced can face challenges on their career journey. So, if you are disabled or care experienced and aged between 20 and 29 years by 06/08/, you may be eligible to apply if you meet the essential criteria.
Care experienced means you are or were, formally looked after by a local authority, in the family home (with support from social services or a social worker) or in foster care, residential/secure care, or kinship care (with family friends or relatives).
We welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate a commitment to their own learning, as the successful candidates will become qualified and time served in their chosen trade. The apprenticeship will be completed through a mixture of on-the-job experience, working alongside qualified/experienced tradespeople; and off-the-job experience at college, gaining the underpinning knowledge and recognised qualifications required for your chosen trade. During your training you will also develop your core skills through the work you carry out.
What we are offering
Modern Apprenticeship vacancies are available in the following disciplines:
7. Greenkeeping
8. Arboriculture
9. Horticultural Engineering Mechanics
These are trainee positions, so no prior qualifications or experience are required.
What we require from you
The recruitment process has several stages. You must complete each stage before the specified deadlines. If at any point you experience difficulties, you must contact us immediately at. The inbox is monitored Monday–Thursday 8:45am–4:45pm and Friday 8:45am–4:15pm.
Stage 1 – Application
First, check you meet the essential criteria on the Job Profile. Any applicant who does not meet the essential criteria will be withdrawn.
If you meet the criteria, complete the online application form and upload a separate document answering the five questions below:
10. Why do you want to apply for a Modern Apprenticeship with South Lanarkshire Council?
(Focus on what the Council can offer you compared to other employers.)
11. Can you please confirm which discipline you are interested in and detail why are you interested in a career in your chosen discipline (Greenkeeping, Arboriculture or Horticultural Engineering Mechanics)?
(Explain your specific interest.)
12. Why do you consider yourself a suitable candidate?
(Highlight relevant personal skills and attributes.)
13. Why are good communication skills important in this role?
14. Why are good customer‑care skills important for an employee of South Lanarkshire Council?
Important:
15. CVs are not accepted.
16. If the answers document is not uploaded, or if a CV is uploaded instead, your application will be withdrawn.
Stage 2 – Shortlisting
Only applicants who complete all sections of the application form will have their applications reviewed. The recruitment panel will score your form and question responses.
Stage 3 – Interview
Only the highest‑scoring applicants will be invited to interview. Interview numbers will reflect the number of available apprenticeship posts.
Interview dates: week commencing 11 May
You must be available during this period. Interviews cannot be rescheduled.
Additional information
All communication will be sent to the email address used on your application — check it regularly.
Closing date for applications:
16 April at 11.55pm
Applications cannot be submitted after this time.
South Lanarkshire Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all candidates who meet the essential criteria, and particularly encourage applications from disabled people, care‑experienced young people, ethnic minority communities and New Scots.
Summary
17. You may apply for only one discipline.
18. Multiple applications will result in all applications being withdrawn.
19. You must upload the answers document — CVs will not be accepted.
20. These posts are fixed‑term 3 & 4 year apprenticeships.
21. Successful candidates will be offered a fixed term appointment in line with the expected timescales to complete their modern apprenticeship.
22. Successful candidates could be placed in any of our localities which includes East Kilbride, Hamilton, Strathaven and Clydesdale.
23. You may be placed in any operational area across South Lanarkshire.
If you require support, or need the information in another format or language, email:
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