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- Tasks: Join our team to maintain beautiful parks and learn essential horticultural skills.
- Company: Coventry City Council is dedicated to creating inclusive communities and enhancing local green spaces.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a great pension scheme, and access to accredited training courses.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity while working outdoors in a supportive, diverse environment.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to learn!
- Other info: Guaranteed interviews for specific groups and taster sessions available to explore the role.
Our Values
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our Values are:
- Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
- Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
- Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
- Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
- Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
- Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
About The Team We Are Recruiting To
We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.
Coombe Country Park is set on the outskirts of Coventry and War Memorial Park in the city centre. They are managed as part of the Park Service for the city council. Coombe and War Memorial Park have won many awards for quality and excellence in management, conservation, visitor experience and education. These include SSSI status for 40 years, Green Flag (Park and Green spaces excellence award), Visit England visitor attraction quality scheme, Natural England’s Country Park Accreditation and Trip Advisor certificate of excellence for consistently high ratings in our customer reviews. Our staff provide high-quality provision in terms of green space care, development and restoration based on an important site for biodiversity amongst the wider ancient woodland landscape setting and the cultural & heritage setting of listed building (Coombe Abbey Hotel). We are visitor focussed, family friendly and encourage visitors to explore the site for heritage and biodiversity.
What is the job role?
We are looking for a Park and Open Spaces Apprentice to join out team.
You will:
- Assist in the maintenance of Coombe Abbey Park and War Memorial Park
- Learn how to use and maintain horticultural tools and equipment safely
- Supporting planting, pruning, grass cutting, and landscaping work
- Helping to ensure public spaces are safe, clean, and welcoming
- Working with experienced staff to develop knowledge of biodiversity and sustainability
The training:
- A recognised qualification – Horticulture Operative Level 2
- On-the-job training and mentoring from our experienced team
- Practical skills and experience to launch a career in parks management and horticulture
You will undertake the Level 2 Horticulture Operative. Further information for this apprenticeship can be found on: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/horticulture-or-landscape-construction-operative#
This apprenticeship role is a fixed-term contract for 18months in line with the length of the apprenticeship training.
Who are we looking for?
About you:
- A genuine interest in working outdoors in all weather conditions
- Willingness to learn and a positive, can-do attitude
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Reliability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic
- No prior experience necessary – just enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in!
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme – As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you\’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled \’Coventry City Council Application Process\’. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.
A taster session will be held at the War Memorial Park where candidates can learn more about what the role entails and the types of work which will be carried out. Spaces are limited, please email coombe@coventry.gov.uk to book onto one of the 1hr long sessions where further details will be provided.
Taster sessions: 23/06/25
Pre-interview and assessment date (via Microsoft Teams)*: 09/07/25
Interview date(s) (Face-to-face): 15/07/25
- The pre-interview is a short session to give the candidates further details of the apprenticeship role and to help them understand what to expect from and how to prepare for the final interview. You will also complete a short diagnostic assessment to check the level of Maths and English that they are currently working at and identify any support they may require.
Did you know that there is support available to help you with your application?
If you would like support in completing your application or have any questions about our recruitment and selection processes, help is available at The Job Shop.
We would recommend that all applicants take advantage of this service in order to maximise the chances of being shortlisted.
Address: West Orchard Way, Coventry CV1 1FY
Phone: 024 7678 5740
Email: jobshop@coventry.gov.uk
Website: http://www.coventry.gov.uk/jobshop
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.
We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.
At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.
To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.
If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards & benefits package which includes:
- Flexible working arrangements
- An outstanding local government pension scheme
- Great opportunities to develop with access to accredited courses.
- Access to an award-winning Occupational Health Service
- Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Coventry City Council
Attached documents
- Coventry City Council Application Process.pdf
- Job Description and Person Specification.pdf
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Parks and Open Spaces Apprentice employer: Coventry City Council
Contact Detail:
Coventry City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Parks and Open Spaces Apprentice
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to attend the taster session at War Memorial Park. This is a great opportunity to get a feel for the role and ask any questions you might have about the apprenticeship.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your enthusiasm for working outdoors and your willingness to learn during the pre-interview session. This will help you stand out as a candidate who is genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Utilise the support available at The Job Shop. They can provide valuable insights and assistance that could enhance your understanding of the application process and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the diagnostic assessment by brushing up on your Maths and English skills. This will not only help you perform well but also show your commitment to personal development.
We think you need these skills to ace Parks and Open Spaces Apprentice
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Parks and Open Spaces Apprentice position. Tailor your application to highlight how your interests and skills align with the role.
Show Your Enthusiasm: Express your genuine interest in working outdoors and your willingness to learn. Use specific examples from your life or studies that demonstrate your passion for horticulture and teamwork.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Even if you lack direct experience, emphasise transferable skills such as communication, reliability, and a strong work ethic. Mention any relevant activities, volunteer work, or projects that showcase these abilities.
Follow Application Guidelines: Ensure you adhere to all application instructions provided by Coventry City Council. This includes submitting your application through our website and avoiding the use of AI tools unless justified, as applications may be rejected otherwise.
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry City Council
✨Show Your Passion for the Outdoors
Make sure to express your genuine interest in working outdoors, regardless of the weather. Share any personal experiences or hobbies that demonstrate your love for nature and the environment.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills
Highlight your ability to work well in a team and communicate effectively. Provide examples of past experiences where you collaborated with others, as this role will require you to engage with both staff and visitors.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
Be prepared to discuss your eagerness to learn new skills, especially in horticulture and park management. Mention any relevant courses or training you've undertaken, even if informal, to show your commitment to personal development.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Come equipped with thoughtful questions about the apprenticeship and the parks you'll be working in. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you understand how you can contribute to the team and the community.