Modern Apprentice Horticulture (Cemeteries) - SCQF Level 5 (2 Posts) (Temporary) - REQ05827 - 465540

Modern Apprentice Living Wage: £13.45 Per Hour with effect from 1st April 2026. Apprenticeships play an important role in our organisation and provide people in our communities with a route into a challenging and rewarding career with North Lanarkshire Council. We aim to be a true reflection of the communities we serve, which is why encouraging talent from all backgrounds to join North Lanarkshire Council is important to us. We’ve found that Apprenticeship opportunities are one of the very best ways to equip people with the skills they need to succeed. You’ll be able to make a difference for our communities doing work that really matters.

Cemetery Operations are an important part of our Council services and are key in maintaining and enhancing our communities within North Lanarkshire. This will be an exciting opportunity to gain practical work experience and confirm that you are the correct person for the role. You’ll learn and develop skills needed to work in this sector utilising both amenity horticulture and grounds maintenance methods. The post would appeal to you if you are interested in carrying out physical tasks and working outdoors in all weathers.

An initial Pre-Vocational Programme runs for a 4-week period, after which you will receive a second interview and assessment to ensure your suitability to continue onto the Modern Apprenticeship Programme. You will work towards gaining a SCQF level 5 in Horticulture as well as gaining experience of the varied and challenging Cemetery duties. You’ll be placed in any one of the following areas:

• Southern Corridor (Wishaw/Shotts/Bellshill/Motherwell)
• Northern Corridor (Cumbernauld/Kilsyth/Airdrie/Coatbridge)

Travel to the training provider premises which may not be in the North Lanarkshire area, is to be expected.

What Do I need? Ideally you should have a strong desire to work outdoors and be willing and keen to learn. Having some gardening experience would be an advantage, but not essential and having National 5 English is also desirable. We look for Apprentices who can help us deliver our exciting ambition and plans for North Lanarkshire. During the selection process we’ll look for you to demonstrate the key strengths we know you’ll need to be successful; ambition, determination, adaptability, personality, ownership, be pro-active and show willingness to learn.

In accordance with Government Guidelines, you’ll need to be aged 16-24 (at the point of starting the apprenticeship) or if you are disabled or care experienced, you’ll need to be aged between 16-29 (at the point of starting the apprenticeship).

Working here at North Lanarkshire Council, we have a great package of benefits available, from health and wellbeing to finances and family. This includes 27 days annual leave and 6 public holidays, and a wide range of offers available to you through our NL Life reward site. We also have a full package of learning and development through our learning academy LearnNL to help you reach your full potential and further your career.

The selection process will involve a short assessment followed by a question and answer interview. For further information contact EarlyCareersTeam@northlan.gov.uk. For more information on local authority careers visit the myjobscotland career hub.

Working Patterns: Monday - Thursday: 08:00am - 16:00pm, Friday: 08:00am - 15:30pm. These positions are temporary until 13/08/2027. Please note that interviews will take place on 21st May 2026.

North Lanarkshire Council are Happy to Talk Flexible Working, we operate a Smarter Working Policy. North Lanarkshire Council has reached its current allocation of Certificates of Sponsorship and, as a result, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who consider themselves to be disabled, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

We have also adopted the Armed Forces Community Covenant to show our support for service personnel, veterans and their families. We offer a guaranteed interview for service leavers, spouses, reservists and veterans, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

North Lanarkshire Council is committed to #KeepingThePromise. This means that if you have ever been in care (looked after at home with a social worker, lived with a relative other than your parents, experienced foster, residential or secure care) you are entitled to a guaranteed interview for this post, as long as you meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

The Plan for North Lanarkshire is to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit. The Council recognises that work is an important part of adult life and is critical to our wellbeing and shaping how we live. The Fair Work Convention’s Framework defines Fair Work as work that offers effective voice, fulfilment, opportunity, respect and security. We believe Fair Work can boost creativity, realise untapped potential and increase productivity.

Alternative Application Packs can be requested in other formats for example, Large Print, Braille, and Audio. To request an alternative Application Pack please phone 01698 403151. The following link contains our Easy Read documents which will help explain the process and what happens during the selection process: Easy Read – My NL.

***PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVS IN PLACE OF THE APPLICATION FORM. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY YOU MUST ENSURE AN APPLICATION FORM IS SUBMITTED. ANY CV SUBMISSIONS WILL BE DISREGARDED.***