Grounds Maintenance Apprentice (Cambridge City Council)

KEITS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge City Council offers a Grounds Maintenance Apprentice role in Cambridge. You will work 37 hours per week, learning mowing, planting, pruning, and other horticultural tasks while gaining formal training through college-based study.

The program lasts about 24 months with training provided by the employer and KEITS, leading toward a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship and eventual permanent employment. Apprentices are paid £13.69 per hour, rising after qualification.

Qualifications

• Motivated and dependable candidate who enjoys practical outdoor work and is keen to learn.
• Enthusiastic, punctual, safety-conscious and able to work well in a team.
• Willing to develop skills in horticulture and landscape operations.
• Good basic education and willingness to learn; driving licence desirable.

Responsibilities

• Mow, plant, weed, prune and support small landscape projects.
• Learn to use tools and equipment safely and effectively.
• Work across Cambridge’s parks and green spaces with training and oversight.

Skills

Mowing

Planting

Weeding

Pruning

Teamwork

Safety conscious

Education

Level 2 Horticulture

Job description

Grounds Maintenance Apprentice
(Cambridge City Council)

Location:

Cambridge, CB4 0DN

Level 2

Course Duration:

24 months approx

Application Deadline Date:

1.9.26

Weekly Hours:

37 hours per week.

£13.69 per hour, rising to £15.31 per hour/ £29,540 per annum once qualified

Cambridge City Council delivers the local services that help make Cambridge a clean, green and welcoming city. As an apprentice, you will build practical skills, gain recognised training, and do work that makes a real difference to residents and visitors every day. We are seeking a General Operative (Public Realm) apprentice.

You will work alongside experienced colleagues helping to maintain and improve Cambridge’s parks, open spaces and landscaped areas.

• A typical day may include mowing, planting, weeding, pruning, and supporting small landscape improvement projects, while learning how to use tools and equipment safely and effectively.
• As an apprentice, you will earn while you learn, gain recognised training, build practical skills, and develop a strong foundation for a future career in horticulture, landscape maintenance and public realm services.

This is a particularly attractive vacancy because it combines paid work, practical outdoor experience and formal training. The apprentice will work across some of Cambridge’s best-known parks and green spaces while also attending formal training with other learners through college-based study at Kings College. That balance of on-the-job learning and structured development makes it an excellent entry route into the industry.

We see apprenticeships as an important way of developing future talent for the service. The role offers excellent opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues, gain recognised qualifications, and build a strong foundation for future employment in horticulture, landscape maintenance and public realm services.

These are permanent roles so continued employment is guaranteed upon successful completion of the apprenticeship. Plus paid at £13.69ph for duration of apprenticeship (much higher than National Apprentice Wage), rising to £29,540pa once qualified.

Desired Skills & Qualities

• We are looking for a motivated and dependable candidate who enjoys practical outdoor work and is keen to learn.
• The ideal person will be enthusiastic, punctual, safety-conscious and able to work well in a team.
• They will take pride in maintaining green spaces, have a positive attitude, and be willing to develop the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in horticulture and landscape operations
• We would not expect extensive previous qualifications for this apprenticeship, but a good basic standard of education and a willingness to learn are important.
• A full UK driving licence would be desirable, particularly to support future progression within the role.
• Any previous experience or certificates in horticulture, landscaping, health and safety, first aid, manual handling, or the safe use of tools and equipment would also be advantageous.

Future Prospects

• Yes. We see this apprenticeship as an opportunity to develop future talent for the service. The successful candidates will be appointed to permanent positions from the outset (continued permanent employment is subject to successful completion of the associated apprenticeship).

Training:

• Full training to be provided by the employer and KEITS at the place of employment.
• The applicant will be working towards a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship.
• The learner will be allocated an industry specific training consultant who will provide both remote and on site visits throughout the apprenticeship.
• The apprentice will work towards an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship.
• Depending on which apprenticeship pathway your employer chooses to offer within horticulture. You may also need to achieve all or a combination of the following courses before taking your end point assessment: Level 3 award in Emergency First Aid at Work, Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance, Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides and Abrasive Wheel.
• If you would like to read more about the course content for these apprenticeships, please follow the below links:
• These are permanent roles so continued employment is guaranteed upon successful completion of the apprenticeship. Plus paid at £13.69ph for duration of apprenticeship (much higher than National Apprentice Wage), rising to £29,540pa once qualified.
• KEITS Training Services Ltd reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier than the listed closing date should the need arise.
• Applicants may not hear if they are unsuccessful due to the popularity of our vacancies.

• 502 Centennial Park Elstree Hill South, Elstree Hertfordshire, WD6 3FG