Job Title: Apprentice Groundworker
Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:00)
Salary: £21,898.80 to £31,934.16 (depending on age and annual increment) per annum (Plus *Uniform & Tools provided)
Location: Based at Gadbrook Park, Northwich. Working across core locations such as: Warring-ton and Cheshire.
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity working as part of a professional, engaged, and friendly organisation? Our values are Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful and Exceptional, we are constantly striving to demonstrate these values in our day to day working environment and culture.
The Opportunity
Weaver Vale Housing Trust has an exciting opportunity for you to commence your career with a great company. We are looking for a driven, diligent, and friendly Apprentice Groundworker to join our Open Spaces and Environmental team.
This apprenticeship provides a stepping-stone and a solid foundation for individuals wishing to pursue a career within the field of ground maintenance with the opportunity to gain further knowledge of landscaping in the later part of the apprenticeship, along with understanding the importance of delivering an excellent customer focused service.
Our trade-based apprenticeships will last for 4 years, allowing time for you to gain a recognised NVQ or equivalent qualification in your chosen field, plus benefiting from practical experience in other trade areas. You will be mentored and coached by our existing team of highly skilled trade staff. You’ll get paid time off to attend college to get your NVQ.
Once you pass your apprenticeship (and hold a full driving licence) you’ll join us as a permanent employee, and will work across our Open Spaces and Environmental teams.
This experience will prepare you for an ongoing role at the Trust when your apprenticeship ends.
What Will You Do?
- Assist Grounds Maintenance team, Landscapers and Community Caretakers along with and any other duties appropriately delegated
- Ensure that a high standard of customer service is delivered at all times
- Adhere to all safe working practices, including completion of any necessary tool box talks, whilst under the guidance and direction of supervising / mentoring staff
- Utilise tools and technology provided to ensure processes and procedures are followed at all times
- Fully engage with all learning and development activities, including team meetings, training courses, conferences and corporate events
- 100% College attendance, including the completion of all coursework, portfolios or exams as required
Minimum Requirements For This Role*
Provide a cover letter demonstrating how you meet the Essential and Desirable criteria in relation to the accountability profile.
This role will require the successful candidate to undergo a DBS check.
In line with the Trust’s Disclosure & Barring Policy, please confirm WITHIN YOUR APPLICATION if you have any current convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will be subject to a DBS check.
- Please see Accountability profile for further information and requirements.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Generous annual leave entitlement - 25-31 days (entitlement increases 1 day each year, over the first 5 years with an additional day at 10 years’ service) holidays plus UK public/bank holidays (based on level of service) (part time pro rata)*
- Ability to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave* (pro rata for part-time) each year*
- 12% employer contribution to our Pension Scheme (minimum 2% employee contribution) with life assurance benefit*.
- Contribution to the cost of nursery or afterschool care to help with childcare costs*
- Commitment to support your ongoing learning and development, with the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills.
- Day off for your Birthday to be taken during your birth month (based on contractual hours)
- One day’s paid leave (per year) to support a charity or community group of your own choice*
- Candidate Referral Scheme*
- An annual Health and Wellbeing Allowance or the option to enrol in a Health Cash Plan*
- ‘Thank you’ gift for your continuous service starting at 5 years’ service, and every 5 years’ thereafter.
- 24/7, 365 day Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including free counselling
- Compensation for professional memberships which are an expressed requirement
for the role.
- Free annual flu vaccines and free Eye Care Vouchers every 2 years*
- Discounts on a gym membership and phone contract
- Cycle to work scheme*
- Free to use car park at our office on Gadbrook Park
- Involvement in regular health and wellbeing initiatives and charity fundraising activities
- Opportunities to give feedback and join various colleague forums, to help shape change at the Trust.
*Benefits offered providing you meet the eligibility criteria
HOW TO APPLY:
Closing date for applications:Tuesday 12/08/2025 (12:00 noon)
(Please be aware that applications received after this time may not be considered)
In person Interview date(s):Week commencing Monday 01/09/2025
Please click here: 20250722 Apprentice Groundworker Job information pack.pdf [pdf] 283KB to review the job Information packfor further information and submit your CV with a covering letter (max. 2 pages) demonstrating how you meet the Essential and Desirable criteria in relation to the accountability profile, please send to: careers@wvht.co.uk
Those applicants that consider themselves to have a disability and meet the essential criteria within the accountability profile for the role will be guaranteed an interview. Please confirm within your application if you consider yourself to have a disability and if so, what reasonable adjustments may be required for you to attend an interview or assessment.
Disclaimer:
- We may conduct social media checks from sources such as Google, Facebook and LinkedIn to assist us in our assessment of your suitability for the role.
- We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.
- Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
- The recruiting manager will review your skills and experience to determine if there is a match with the position you have applied for. If there is, we will contact you by phone or email to schedule an interview / assessment. If not, you will not be contacted.
- We would love to respond to all unsuccessful applications but due to the number we receive this is unfortunately not possible. We will respond to all shortlisted applications within 3 weeks of a vacancy closing. If you haven’t heard from us during this time, we will not be pursuing your application any further.
- Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK evidence of essential qualifications, complete a health questionnaire and undertake a DBS check (if relevant to the role).
- We reserve the right to refuse applications if they do not have an accompanying cover letter.
We appreciate your interest in Weaver Vale Housing Trust and the time you have invested in applying to us.
The Trust invites applications from all members of the community, irrespective ofGender, Gender reassignment, Sexual orientation, Race, Religion or belief, Disability, Age, Pregnancy and maternity, Marriage and civil partnership.
