Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Apprentice Level 2
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Company: Bristol City Council
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Location: Bristol, BS3 2JT
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: Competitive Salary
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Sector: Agriculture, environmental and animal care
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Ref: NAS-2000046838
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Application Deadline Date: 23/08/2026
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Start Date: 28/09/2026
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Positions Available: 4
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Working Week: The apprenticeship is expected to take 24 months, followed by an end-point assessment period (4 months). Your working hours will be: 7am - 3:30pm (Monday to Thursday) 7am - 12pm (Friday- college day)
Brief Description
Join Bristol City Council as a Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Apprentice Level 2. Gain hands-on experience maintaining Bristol's parks and green spaces, develop practical horticultural and grounds maintenance skills, and work towards an apprenticeship qualification while learning from colleagues in the Parks Service.
Training to be Provided
You will work towards the Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Apprenticeship Standard whilst gaining practical experience within Bristol City Council's Parks Service.
Training will be delivered through a combination of:
- Practical, on-the-job learning across a variety of parks and green spaces in South Bristol
- Off-the-job training delivered by Bridgwater and Taunton College
- Regular reviews with your manager and training provider to support your progress and development
- Completion of apprenticeship assignments and development of a portfolio of evidence for assessment
- College attendance is expected to be approximately one day per week, although the delivery model may vary and will be confirmed by Bridgwater and Taunton College
The apprenticeship is expected to take 24 months, followed by an end-point assessment period (4 months).
Future Prospects
Successful completion of the apprenticeship could support progression into a range of horticulture, grounds maintenance, parks and environmental services roles.
The practical skills and experience gained through this apprenticeship may also provide a strong foundation for further training, future employment opportunities or progression within parks, green spaces, landscape maintenance or environmental services.
Vacancy Detail
This apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to earn while you learn, developing practical horticultural and landscape maintenance skills while working as part of Bristol City Council’s Parks Service. You will support the South Bristol Parks team with grounds maintenance and horticultural tasks, helping to maintain and improve parks, green spaces and landscape features across a variety of sites.
You will work alongside experienced colleagues and receive full training to support your development. The role will help you build confidence in practical outdoor work, safe working practices, customer service, sustainability and teamwork.
You will:
- Work as part of a team in a grounds maintenance environment to help meet service requirements, including standards for time, cost, productivity and quality
- Assist with propagation, plant production and plant maintenance, including watering, weeding and pest control
- Support the maintenance of parks, green spaces, formal gardens, amenity areas, conservation sites, highways, social housing land, golf course areas and other community green spaces
- Help maintain hard landscape features such as children’s play areas, pathways, structures and other park infrastructure
- Learn how to operate a range of light and heavy equipment safely and keep tools, equipment and machinery clean and serviceable
- Support sustainability through composting, recycling and reducing the use of resources wherever possible
- Engage with members of the public, customers and volunteers in a helpful and customer-focused manner
- Read and follow written instructions, specifications and health and safety information
- Carry out practical outdoor duties which may include walking, kneeling, lifting and working across parks and green spaces
This role is mainly outdoors and will involve working throughout the year in a range of weather conditions. You will be expected to follow health and safety procedures and use the personal protective equipment provided. Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.
Other Information
You must have:
- Willingness and ability to fully participate in the apprenticeship programme, including college or training sessions, off-the-job learning and working towards the Level 2 apprenticeship standard
- An interest in horticulture, parks, green spaces, gardening, the environment or outdoor practical work. Previous experience is welcome but not essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to deal with enquiries from the public or colleagues in a polite, clear and helpful way
- Experience of working cooperatively as part of a team in any setting, such as school, college, sport, volunteering or work
- Ability to undertake the practical outdoor requirements of the role, including working in different weather conditions, manual tasks and moving around parks and green spaces, with reasonable adjustments considered where appropriate
- Ability to follow instructions, ask for help when needed and work safely in line with guidance, training and supervision
- Willingness to support sustainability goals through recycling and minimising resource use
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion