Grounds Maintenance Apprentice (Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council)

Location: Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AU

Level 2 Course Duration: 24 months approx

Application Deadline Date: 23.6.26

Weekly Hours: Summer hours – 41.5 hours p/week | Winter hours – 32.5 hours

National Minimum Wage – may increase due to experience

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council is the local parish authority representing the town of Royal Wootton Bassett. It works to improve the community’s quality of life by managing local services, facilities and initiatives. The council maintains public spaces such as parks, play areas, and cemeteries, supports community events, and provides grants to local groups. It also represents residents’ views on planning and development matters, working alongside Wiltshire Council and other agencies to address local issues.

An exciting horticulture apprenticeship opportunity to carry out as directed by the Grounds Maintenance Services Manager, tasks of routine grounds works, horticulture, maintenance and security on all sites and premises under the control of the Town Council. This vacancy would require the successful apprentice to start in September 2026.

Duties of the Post:

• Assist with the maintenance of parks, open spaces and landscaped areas.
• Carry out tasks such as mowing, strimming, edging and weeding.
• Support planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and seasonal bedding displays.
• Water and care for plants to ensure healthy growth.
• Assist with hard landscaping tasks (e.g. paving, fencing, pathways, turfing).
• Support the preparation of ground for planting and construction work.
• Help install and maintain garden features such as borders and raised beds.
• Learn to use and maintain horticultural tools and machinery safely, clean and store equipment after use.
• Follow all health and safety procedures when operating tools.
• Support sustainable gardening practices, including recycling green waste.
• Assist with maintaining biodiversity (e.g. planting for pollinators).
• Help identify and manage pests, weeds and plant diseases.
• Attend college or training provider sessions as part of apprenticeship.
• Work towards a recognised qualification (e.g. Level Horticulture or Landscaping).
• Learn plant identification and seasonal gardening techniques.
• Follow instructions and guidance from supervisors and mentors.

Desired Skills & Qualities:

• Willingness to learn and develop practical skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Good timekeeping and reliability.
• Basic awareness of health and safety.
• Basic knowledge of plants and gardening (desirable).
• Ability to undertake physical work (desirable).
• GCSEs, or equivalents in maths and English are desired but not essential.

Future Prospects:

Can lead to full time Grounds Maintenance role. A member of staff joined us on a similar scheme and has been employed by the Council. We offer an opportunity to learn and develop, working with an experienced team.

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 provided links.

KEITS Training Services Ltd reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier than the listed closing date should the need arise.