Apprenticeship - Horticulture Operative - Level 2-CMB

Job Summary

Salary: From September 2026 - £8.00 per hour – Apprenticeship Wage – during first 12 months.
Hours: 37 hours per week.
Location: Bousteads Grassing, Carlisle & Moresby Depot, Whitehaven.
Contract: Apprenticeship.
Start Date: From September 2026 onwards.
Apprenticeship Duration: Typically 24 months.
Closing Date: 9th March.
Interviews: 30th March – 20th April 2026.

Grow your future with a Horticulture Apprenticeship at Cumberland Council! This hands‑on role is perfect for anyone who loves being outdoors and wants to make a visible difference to the green spaces our communities enjoy every day. You’ll learn how to create, care for and maintain everything from parks and gardens to planted borders, lawns and landscaped areas – gaining real experience in planting, pruning, using tools and equipment, and helping keep our outdoor spaces looking their best all year round.

Working alongside experienced horticulture professionals, you’ll develop practical skills, confidence and a genuine sense of pride in the projects you help bring to life. If you’re passionate about plants, enjoy practical work and want a career that keeps you active and learning, this is the opportunity for you.

• Develop, plant, prune and maintain parks, gardens, lawns and landscaped areas.
• Use horticultural tools and equipment safely and effectively.
• Assist in the upkeep of various green spaces to ensure they remain attractive throughout the year.
• Collaborate with experienced horticulture professionals to complete projects on time.

• Complete the online application form and read all Supporting Information, including the Apprenticeship Description, carefully.
• Answer the three application questions: why you’re interested, how you have or will develop the essential skills, qualities and behaviours, and provide examples.
• List all your qualifications, including any predicted exam grades.
• Upload any additional information you’d like to provide to support your application, such as a CV or covering letter.

Training providers will carry out eligibility checks. Details you have included in your application (name, date of birth, home address, email address, telephone/mobile number and qualifications) will be shared with commissioned apprenticeship training providers for the purpose of the recruitment, training and management of the apprenticeship programme.

We welcome applications from everyone. At Cumberland Council, we are dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce, striving to mirror the rich tapestry of the communities we proudly serve. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are devoted to fostering an inclusive, supportive culture that embraces and appreciates our unique differences. As a proud Disability Confident Employer and an Age Friendly Employer, we commit to providing an inclusive workplace for people who meet the essential criteria for the role.

If this apprenticeship sounds like you or you would like an informal chat prior to your application, please email earlycareersandappre