National Apprenticeship Week 2025

Meet some rising stars from our 2024/25 apprenticeship scheme

February 10th-16th is National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

This is a week that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact of apprenticeships on individuals, businesses, and the wider economy.

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with two of our current apprentices at different stages of their schemes...

We spoke with Molly Jones, our Business Administrator Level 3 Apprentice, and Ben Paterson our Horticulture Operative Level 2 Apprentice.

Ben's role essentially covers all aspects of soft landscaping. He is assessed on practical and theoretical aspects including safe spraying, digging, planting, maintenance, and horticultural knowledge such as understanding the 25 Latin names of different trees and plants.

Molly's role covers Ground Control's business principles and requires knowledge of company policy and legislation. She is currently supporting Ground Control's infrastructure team as a mobilisation coordinator in the Pothole repair department.

Molly: What does your current role include?

Currently, I am working as a Mobilisation Coordinator in the Potholes team. I check audit reports that are submitted via the system. These show photos of the pothole work that our field teams have completed each day. I check the images for quality and also to the spec of what the clients requested. If I spot any
issues, I then escalate this to our contract management team.

I also raise any issues with the traffic management for any work completed as well as health and safety checks ensuring that the teams are wearing the correct PPE (personal protective equipment) for safety reasons.

I raise RAMS (risk assessments and method statements) for each job and look at the material and tools needed for all the jobs as well as considering COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) when needed.

Ben: What do you do on a day-to-day basis in your job within our maintenance team at Ground Control?

During the summer I did lots of grass cutting on the ride-on mower across the site. Approaching winter, leaf clearance, and hedge-cutting. Much of our time is dependent on the weather.

Molly, what is the best part of your job?

The people! I get a lot of support from my manager and the team. I can ask questions about anything, and they will always help me.

Ben: what do you like most about your role?

Being active! I like active jobs even if it’s cold in the Winter. In the summer when not too hot it’s lovely being outside. It’s also a good team and we have a joke as well as working well together.

Molly: What advice would you give anyone wanting to get into a Business Administrator apprenticeship like yours?

Do lots of research about the company you are applying to before your interview to show that you have an interest in the business and values.

Be confident in yourself! I didn’t know if I could do it…. but your confidence grows with time so don’t panic at the start. You will learn everything you need. Don’t put pressure on yourself in the beginning.

Try not to be nervous as you will learn everything you need to know when you start. It doesn’t matter what experience was previously - just be eager to learn!

Ben: What advice would you give anyone wanting to do an apprenticeship in horticulture?

Make sure you are confident when you are applying as well as being interested in the industry. If you are too quiet you may get overlooked. When you start if you make the effort to talk to people they will talk back and you can then get to know your team on a friendly level as well.

Speak to our talent team about Ground Control's apprenticeship opportunities