Join us as an Apprentice Estate Services Operative at Thirteen Group Role Overview: Thirteen Group is on the lookout for two Apprentice Estate Services Operatives to join our Estate Services team, starting at the end of March 2025 Our apprenticeship opportunities are open to anyone aged 16 or over. If you don t see yourself sitting at a desk, or you enjoy working in the outdoors, this could be the ideal opportunity for you As an Apprentice Estate Services Operative, you ll keep our estates safe, tidy, and looking their best. You ll develop skills in plant care and development, health and safety practices, environmental awareness, soil cultivation, vegetation control, and the maintenance of hardstanding areas Throughout your apprenticeship, you ll receive on the job training and be fully supported to achieve your qualification: Horticultural Operative Level 2 This is more than just an apprenticeshipit s your opportunity to build skills, grow your career, and make a real difference in our community Eligibility Criteria: You will need to hold GCSE grades A - D or 3 or above in English Language and Maths (or equivalent e.g. Functional Skills). You must also be willing and able to travel across the Tees Valley for work and able to travel to East Durham College, Houghall Campus once a week for your college release day. If you travel to college by public transport, the college will provide you with a bus pass If you already hold a qualification or BTEC in Horticultural Operative / Landscaping above Level 1, or are part way through a qualification, we unfortunately won t be able to consider your application. Thirteen Benefits: Salary starting at 13,036.64 per annum, with potential career development into opportunities such as an Estate Services Operative with a salary of 23,767 per annum Annual leave starting at 28 days and rising to 31 days after three years, a day off for your birthday, plus bank holidays. Pension up to 17% contributions (flexible contribution rates of up to 7% colleague and up to 10% employer). Simply Health save money on common health expenses and get access to health and wellbeing support services. T dar our Discount and Reward platform giving you huge savings on everyday brands. Opportunities to buy and sell annual leave. Key Responsibilities: Working as part of a large team, you'll help to look after over a million square metres of open space across the Tees Valley Under the guidance of senior colleagues, you ll undertake grounds maintenance duties relating to the appearance and safety of our estates. This includes grass cutting, litter picking, spraying/weed killing, hedge trimming and digging We ll provide certified training in PA1 and PA6 spraying, as well as certified hands-on training with essential tools like hedge cutters, strimmers, mowers, and blowers. Contribute to the improvement and maintenance of a sustainable environment. You ll complete a range of tasks relating to community issues and environmental standards About You: At Thirteen, no two days are the same. We re a forward-thinking organisation with brilliant people, delivering great services for our customers. You ll help to make a positive difference by: Putting the customer at the heart of everything you do. We want people who will strive to deliver great customer service. Being a team player. We want people who work hard with their teams to support and achieve a high standard of service. Showing enthusiasm, motivation, and a commitment to learning. We want our apprentices to be keen to learn about all things Thirteen. Communicating effectively. We want our apprentices to share problems, thoughts and ideas with their teams and colleagues. Making the most of technology and your IT skills. We want our apprentices to use technology every day and have a good understanding of different devices to complete tasks in the workplace, onsite and at college. Commitment to complete your full apprenticeship and willing to travel across the Tees Valley for work and to Durham for your college release day. Why Thirteen Group? We re more than just a housing association we re a community builder. As the largest housing association in the North East and among the top 25 nationally, we manage over 34,000 properties. - Join a team that s local at heart but welcomes talent from everywhere. - Be part of an organisation that values diversity and inclusivity. - Be a part of a company that offers tailored support services, going beyond just housing solutions. Interested? What are you waiting for? APPLY NOW to kickstart your career If you d like to talk more about this opportunity, please contact our Learning and Development team at: learning.developmentthirteengroup.co.uk Thirteen s Employability Service is offering additional support with applications and interview techniques. To find out more, please email employabilitythirteengroup.co.uk