Horticulture Operative Apprentice

Summary

Our apprenticeship scheme puts you at the forefront of Ecological Transformation, contributing towards our purpose of protecting the planet’s natural resources, while supporting the communities
we work in.

Wage

£21,164 a year

● 20 days of annual leave
● Access to our company pension scheme

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, Shifts to be confirmed with 30 mins unpaid lunch break.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 2 September 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

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

When you see the world as we do, you see the chance to help the world take better care of its resources and help it become a better place for everyone.

Our apprenticeship scheme puts you at the forefront of Ecological Transformation, contributing towards our purpose of protecting the planet’s natural resources, while supporting the communities
we work in.

We know that everyone here at Veolia can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment in small and big ways, and contribute towards our inclusive culture.

Apprenticeship Programme:

During this programme, we will help you develop your practical and behavioural skills and support you in gaining the technical and professional knowledge required for you to succeed in your career.

With many of our colleagues starting as apprentices, you’ll receive full support and guidance from everyone throughout.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have received industry-standard training and attained qualifications that will enable you to progress and reach your full potential.

What you will be doing:

• Maintain and enhance public spaces through comprehensive grounds care, including lawn maintenance, planting, landscape upkeep, and litter removal, while ensuring safety and cleanliness
• Various tasks, including but not limited to grass cutting, strimming, hedge cutting, pruning, bin servicing, litter picking, as well as shrub and flower bed maintenance and more
• Daily inspections using vehicle check books, equipment check books, and HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome) books, adhering to guidelines in the Driver/Operator handbook to ensure safety and compliance
• Comply with all traffic laws and legislation in relation to your duties, including the security and weight of loads
• Adhere to depot site rules

Where you'll work

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Central Depot
Moat Lane
Solihull
B91 2LW

Training

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

Training provider

WARWICKSHIRE 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

Block Release weeks at Pershore College

More training information

• Upon completion of all elements of your Apprenticeship you will be awarded a Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship in Horticulture (Horticulture/Landscape operative)
• In addition, you will achieve: Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work; The Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1) and Safe Use of Abrasive Wheels (Landscape option)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English, Maths (grade C/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
• Team working
• knowledge of health and safety
• Reliability and Punctuality
• Follow instructions

Other requirements

Having a UK driving licence or working towards one would be advantageous for this role.

Comfortable working in an outdoor environment.