Apprentice Arborist

As an Apprentice Horticulturist you will gain certification in first aid, the use and maintenance numerous grounds maintenance machinery, plant and shrub identification and spraying certificates. On successful completion of the training period, you will move through End Point Assessment Gateway and be in a position to undertake the assessments required in order to achieve an industry recognised qualification Level 2 Horticulturist Apprenticeship.

Whilst at work, you will learn from experienced staff in the workplace and participate in a wide range of grounds maintenance operations. The work at times, is physically demanding and takes place outdoors in all weather., You will be expected to attend college at Askham Bryan College, York for block release tuition. We will pay for accommodation at college as required but a daily bus also runs from Doncaster bus station to the college.

You must be 16 or older and have left school at the start of the course. No experience is required, just a desire to succeed. You will need to take pride in your work and be a real team player. You will need to enjoy working outdoors in all weathers. Candidates should be aware that this can be a very physically demanding role. The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation which puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do.

You have an opportunity to be part of this in the role of Apprentice Horticulturist. If you are looking for an apprenticeship where you can make a difference to a vibrant city in Yorkshire, City of Doncaster Council have the perfect apprenticeship for you. We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join one of our Horticultural teams to help ensure that Doncaster is a clean, green and safe place for everyone from our residents to visitors.

If you have a passion for the environment and enjoy working outdoors as an active member of a team, we want to hear from you. This apprenticeship aims to provide a basic understanding of the practical and theoretical elements of horticulture alongside being trained to use the relevant machinery. It is a 24-month program where you earn an hourly wage working for City of Doncaster Council, with college attendance in block release - one week every eight weeks - at Askham Bryan Colleges York campus.

Here at Doncaster, we know that for you to make a difference to our residents, you need to be part of a positive culture where you are given every chance to succeed. We believe that having a good work/life balance is crucial, so we offer all of our employees 29 days holiday, a local government pension scheme, and many other discounts and benefits. As well as ensuring you have what you need to perform your role, well provide full uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE).

We will provide you with a thorough training programme so that you are comfortable in your role and can perform to the best of your abilities and will support you through the relevant qualification Level 2 Horticultural Apprenticeship. IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU MUST contact Askham Bryan College before finalising your application for an Apprentice Arborist position. We cannot employ you if you do not have an offer of a place by the college.

We value a range of experiences and skills. If you have transferable skills from other roles or voluntary work, we encourage you to apply. In return for your contribution, we offer: Competitive leave entitlement Generous local government pension scheme Wellbeing support and staff networks Development and training opportunities Staff discounts and benefits schemes More information on benefits can be found in the attached benefits booklet.

Please review the job summary and profile and demonstrate in your application how you meet the required criteria. Shortlisting: week commencing 21st September 2026. Interviews: week commencing 28th September 2026. For further information, please contact Paul Earl on We encourage applicants to use their own word