Apprentice Cemetery/Horticulture Technician

Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within Sandwell Council’s crematorium / cemeteries environment in a technical post where you will undertake duties associated with grave digging, gardening and grounds maintenance and other horticultural work. Would suit someone of a sympathetic disposition who can show empathy in sensitive situations.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday. Shifts to vary between 7.00am and 6.00pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 1 November 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, as operating certain machinery in the crematoria requires specific licenses.

Job duties will include:

• Perform grave digging tasks and all relevant training
• Assist with horticultural duties, all aspects of grounds maintenance and grass cutting
• To help with general gardening duties such as maintenance of flower beds, shrub pruning, herbaceous borders and rose beds etc.
• Utilise associative plant / machinery and grass cutting machinery
• Assist with external cleaning duties - such as litter picking, sweeping, emptying of litter bins, etc.
• To help maintain the cleanliness of the crematorium, cemeteries and other open spaces
• To work flexibly and across the following: Sandwell Valley Crematorium, Rowley Regis Crematorium and Cemetery, Canalside Cemetery, Fallings Heath Cemetery, Heath Lane Cemetery, Oldbury Cemetery, Tipton Cemetery, Thimblemill Cemetery, Uplands Cemetery and Wood Green Cemetery

Where you'll work

Sandwell Valley Crematorium
Newton Road
West Bromwich
B71 3SX

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

HEREFORDSHIRE, LUDLOW, AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE COLLEGE

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

What you'll learn

• (Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
• (Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
• (Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
• (Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
• (Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
• (Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
• (Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
• (Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
• (Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
• (Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
• (Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
• (Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
• (Core) Install turf for situation.
• (Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
• (Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
• (Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
• (Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
• (Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
• (Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
• (Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
• (Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
• (Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.
• (Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).
• (Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.
• (Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
• (Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
• (Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
• (Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
• (Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
• (Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
• (Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
• (Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
• (Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
• (Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
• (Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
• (Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
• (Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
• (Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
• (Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
• (Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
• (Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
• (Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
• (Core) Install turf for situation.
• (Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
• (Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
• (Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.

Training schedule

The apprenticeship training will be delivered in the workplace, as you will receive visits from a college assessor. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard
and a robust programme of mandatory apprentice training provided by Sandwell Council to include Fire Awareness, Prevent, Safeguarding, Data Protection & Cyber Security and Equality & Diversity.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade A-C/9-4)
• Maths (grade A-C/9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Team working
• Non judgemental
• Physical fitness
• Flexible attitude
• Able to prioritise
• Able to work outdoors
• Follow instructions
• Interest in Horticulture
• Good attendance record
• Show sympathy & empathy

Other requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old, as operating certain machinery in the crematoria requires specific licenses.
• A provisional driving license would be advantageous but not essential.
• You must be of a sympathetic disposition and empathetic to sensitive situations.
• Ability to work flexibly across Crematoriums in West Bromwich & Rowley Regis and Cemeteries in Wednesbury, West Bromwich, Oldbury, Tipton & Smethwick.
• We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date, if we receive a large number of applications. Therefore, you are strongly advised to complete and return your application as soon as possible.