Landscape & Forestry Trainee

The Parks Trust Central Milton Keynes, United Kingdom Landscaping

Company Description

Established as an independent charity in 1992, The Parks Trust expertly cares for over 6,000 acres of beautiful and inspirational green space in Milton Keynes including parks, ancient woodlands, lakes, river valleys and 80 miles of landscaped areas along the city's grid roads.

In most towns and cities, parkland is owned by the local authority, but Milton Keynes' founders were pioneers and decided to do things differently. Their vision was to create a new town where the parkland and landscapes would be protected forever by a charity that was separate from local government. Doing so would ensure that, as the new town grew, its green spaces would never be compromised or have to fight for funding.

That all became a reality when The Parks Trust was set up in 1992. The new charity was given a 999-year lease on a total of 4,500 acres of Milton Keynes and an endowment of property valued at £20m. Returns on these carefully managed investments generate the primary source of income required to fund the charity's wide-ranging work today and forever.

Over 100 staff and 240 volunteers deliver the essential work of The Parks Trust. In addition to landscaping and maintenance tasks, that also includes providing valuable recreation and leisure facilities, connecting communities at over 500 outdoor events each year, and advancing public education around the wildlife, biodiversity, and the environment.

As Milton Keynes grows, so does The Parks Trust. Each year, the charity takes on new green spaces and endowments from developers to cover costs in perpetuity. This approach ensures that all new areas of the city benefit from the same quality of inspiring, connected landscape and Milton Keynes remains a great place to live, work and play.

Position

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an 18-month training scheme and develop a career in amenity landscaping and forestry. Our training scheme includes attendance of appropriate courses and NPTC Certification. Subject to training and practical criteria being met this role has the opportunity to become permanent with further training opportunities available.

You will work within a small team specialising in 'Landscape and Forestry' out in our parks, grid road landscapes and woodland to ensure our green estate is maintained and well presented. This will involve carrying out works as instructed which includes tree work, thinning, chipping, stump grinding, tree and shrub planting, weed control (spraying and mulching) cleansing and other soft and hard landscaping work as required while working on own initiative as well as part of a team.

You will be working outside in all seasons.

Key Objectives

• Ensure the green estate is maintained and presented to a good standard.
• Support the team specialising in 'Landscape and Forestry', helping to achieve high levels of efficiency and effectiveness on all work carried out and that all duties are carried out in a safe manner
• Undertake training programme that involves both practical and academic qualifications.

Hours

• 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Thursday - 7.30am until 4pm & Fridays 7.30am until 1pm.
• £25,610 per annum

Requirements

• You must be 18+ to be eligible to apply for this role
• A full driving licence is required.
• Be prepared and motivated to take on further training to develop your depth of skills and experience.
• Show a desire to progress within the team and professionally
• Good timekeeping
• Be able to communicate effectively with team members, other Trust staff, the general public and other third parties.

Other information

We offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Ongoing support and training
• Excellent contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)
• Income protection and life assurance cover after qualifying period
• Enhanced family friendly policies after qualifying period
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Salary sacrifice schemes for tech & electric cars
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Wellbeing day off each year
• Buying and Selling option for annual leave
• Medical Cash Plan
• Access to employee wellbeing helpline
• Free eye tests
• Great office in a park land setting with free parking

Application Process:

• Deadline for applications on 27th July 2025
• 1st Stage Teams Interviews - week commencing 18th August 2025
• 2nd Stage In Person interviews - week commencing 25th August 2025.

The Parks Trust is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, Charity Commission guidance and best practice standards.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.