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Train Together

Realise Your Potential

LAND-BASED & HORTICULTURE

More Than Just Groundskeepers

Your grounds team aren't just cutting grass—they're environmental artists creating living spaces where life happens. We help you recognise and develop that expertise.

 

93%

85+

Accredited

                          Completion Rate
Qualified Horticulturists
Green Spaces

Marcus's Recognition Journey

From gardener who thought he was "just mowing lawns" to Level 3 Horticulture Supervisor who now designs landscape strategies

Your Recognition Pathway

From day-one operational competence to high-performing, compliant, and sustainable land-based teams.

Each level helps your team do it right, do it safely, and do it brilliantly.

 

Level 2

Horticulture & Landscaping Operative

📅 12-18 months | 💼 Apprenticeship Standard

 

More than just basic maintenance.
 
Your team members learn plant science, landscape design principles, and sustainable practices—building confidence to create and care for living spaces purposefully.
✓ Level 2 Horticulture Certificate ✓ Plant Science Fundamentals ✓ Landscape Maintenance ✓ Sustainable Practices
 
Know It: Plant identification, soil science, and seasonal cycles
Show It: Maintain grounds to horticultural standards
Live It: Create spaces where people connect with nature
 

Level 3

Horticulture Supervisor

📅 18-24 months | 💼 Apprenticeship Standard

 

More than just experienced groundskeepers.
 
Your team develops expertise in landscape design, team management, and strategic grounds planning—becoming trusted professionals who create award-winning outdoor spaces.
✓ Level 3 Horticulture Diploma ✓ Landscape Design ✓ Team Supervision ✓ Project Management
 
Know It: Landscape design, biodiversity, and resource management
Show It: Design landscapes, lead teams, and manage projects
Live It: Transform spaces into environments people love
 

Ready to Discover Your Team's Hidden Potential?

Book a free assessment or calculate your ROI — either way, you'll see how government funding makes this possible

Level 2

Sports Turf Operative

📅 12-18 months | 💼 Apprenticeship Standard
 

More than just mowing grass.

Your team members learn how to prepare, maintain, and improve sports surfaces—developing the technical skill, pride, and professionalism to keep pitches safe, playable, and performing at their best all year round.

✓ Level 2 Sports Turf Certificate ✓ Safe Machinery & Operational Maintenance
 ✓ Surface Preparation & Presentation ✓ Turf Health Monitoring
 
Know It: Turf biology, safe machinery use, and surface preparation basics
Show It: Maintain sports surfaces to quality standards and carry out routine renovations
Live It: Take ownership of safety, presentation, and consistent playing performance
 

Level 3

Advanced Sports Turf Technician

📅 18-24 months | 💼 Apprenticeship Standard

 

More than just maintaining a pitch.
 
Your team members learn advanced turf science, performance analysis, and renovation planning—building the expertise to deliver elite playing surfaces, improve turf health long-term, and lead best practice across the site.
✓ Level 3 Advanced Sport Turf Certificate ✓ Advanced Pitch Performance ✓ Renovation & Season Scheduling ✓ Turf Problem Diagnosis
 
Know It: Turfgrass science, soil/irrigation fundamentals, and pest/disease identification
Show It: Diagnose issues, plan renovations, and optimise surface performance year-round
Live It: Set high standards, work proactively, and take pride in elite surface quality
 

Ready to Discover Your Team's Hidden Potential?

Book a free assessment or calculate your ROI — either way, you'll see how government funding makes this possible

Level 2

Golf Greenkeeper

📅 12-18 months | 💼 Apprenticeship Standard
 

More than just cutting greens.

Your team members learn how to maintain high-quality playing surfaces across the whole course—developing the practical skills, attention to detail, and professionalism needed to keep greens, tees, fairways, and bunkers safe, consistent, and looking their best.

✓ Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper Certificate ✓ Daily Course Preparation
 ✓ Safe Manchinay Operation & Maintenance ✓ Course Upkeep
 
Know It: Turf basics, safe machinery use, and course maintenance routines
Show It: Prepare and present playing surfaces daily and carry out essential maintenance tasks
Live It: Take pride in standards, safety, and an exceptional golfer experience
 

Level 5

Golf Course Manager

📅 18-24 months | 💼 Apprenticeship Standard

 

More than just running a course.
 
Your managers develop the leadership, commercial insight, and operational control to deliver outstanding playing conditions—while managing budgets, people, compliance, and long-term course strategy to drive member and guest satisfaction.
✓ Level 5 Golf Course Manager Certificate ✓ Leadership & People Management ✓ Budgeting & Planning ✓ Compliance & Risk Management
 
Know It: Strategic planning, budgeting & financial control, and health & safety/compliance
Show It: Lead teams, manage contractors, and deliver consistent course standards and customer experience
Live It: Champion high performance, sustainability, and a culture of pride and professionalism
 

Level 4

Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Practitioner

📅 18-24 months | 💼 Apprenticeship Standard
 

More than just green initiatives.

Your team builds the expertise to influence strategy, deliver responsible initiatives, and keep environmental, social, and ethical impact at the heart of operations, preparing them for sustainability, ESG, and corporate responsibility roles.

✓ Level 4 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Qualification ✓ Strategic Planning & Implementation (CR&S) ✓ Data Collection, Reporting & Compliance ✓ EPA Ready (Project & Professional Discussion)
 
Know It: Corporate responsibility principles, ethical governance, and reporting compliance
Show It: Plan and deliver CR&S projects, engage stakeholders, and report impact
Live It: Lead with purpose, communicate transparently, and drive sustainable change
 

How We Develop Financial Professionals

These aren’t simply qualifications. They’re deepening expressions of who people are becoming.
Know It

Build strong technical foundations in turf and course care—turf biology, surface standards, safe machinery use, and the principles of sustainable land management.

 

Show It

Apply skills in real environments—prepare and present pitches, greens, tees and fairways, complete routine renovations, diagnose turf issues, and improve playing performance across the season.

 

Live It

Lead with pride and stewardship—champion safety, consistency and professionalism, raise standards across the team, and deliver the playing experience your members, guests and customers expect.

 
 

Recognition Stories from Our Community

Real transformations from team members who discovered they're more than just their job titles

“Transitioning from a 12-year career in hospitality to a corporate environment was daunting. With the support of my colleagues and tutors, I built the confidence to thrive, strengthened my time management and communication skills, and now feel equipped to build a successful long-term career.”

🏆 AAT Student of the Year Nominee 🏢 Secured apprenticeship at Savills

Ben Mortiboy

12-year hospitality career → Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprentice (Savills)

“I've been learning with Train Together for the past 18 months and am excited to continue with my Level 4 qualification. The journey has been really enriching and fulfilling, significantly enhancing my professional skills and knowledge. The training has also had a significant impact on my productivity in work.”

📚 Continuing to Level 4 💻 Excel efficiency improved

Chloe Lloyd

Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprentice → progressing to Level 4 (AAT)

“I found the apprenticeship enjoyable and well-structured. The mix of online lessons through the training portal and face-to-face Teams calls with my tutor and peers created a balanced learning experience. The training aligned with my role—especially improving my understanding of year-end accounts.

✅ Well-structured learning 📊 Year-end accounts knowledge

Sarah Welch

Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprentice → improved confidence & efficiency at work

Frequently Asked Questions

They’re government-funded training programmes that develop people working in outdoor, land-based roles—like horticulture, grounds maintenance, sports turf, and greenkeeping—combining on-the-job learning with structured teaching and assessment.

They’re ideal for new starters, career changers, and existing team members who need to build confidence, capability, and consistency in land-based work—whether they’re on a golf course, sports facility, estate, park, or commercial site.

Common roles include:

  • Horticulture Operatives / Grounds Operatives

  • Sports Turf Operatives/Technicians

  • Golf Greenkeepers

  • Team Leaders/Supervisors (where applicable)

  • Course or Site Managers (for higher-level programmes)

Most employers use a progression pathway:

  • Level 2: entry-level operational competence (core tasks + safe working)

  • Level 3: advanced technical skills and autonomy

  • Level 5: leadership, commercial and strategic responsibility (e.g., golf course management)

A blended approach that fits around the working week, usually including:

  • Structured learning sessions (online and/or on-site where appropriate)

  • Workplace coaching and development tasks

  • Regular progress reviews with the learner and employer

  • Portfolio building and assessment preparation