Advanced Sports Turf Technician Apprentice

Summary

To prepare and maintain sports and amenity surfaces, providing a high-quality environment for all training and playing activities. This will be across all Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors sites.

Annual wage

£22,308 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The salary will be dependable on work experience and qualifications.

Training course

Advanced sports turf technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours per week. Shift hours to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 7 October

Duration

2 Years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Prepare and maintain all works in relation to playing surfaces
and ensure that the preparatory and cultivation work to
maintain safe quality playing surfaces is completed.
• Work as part of the grounds care operation, when required to
work in any of the stadium and training ground facilities.
• Assist the Head Grounds person and Deputy Head Grounds
person in delivering the pest control, weed control, seeding,
fungicide and fertilisation/nutrition program for the playing
surfaces.
• Ensure that the initial marking out and setting up of playing
surfaces is to a high standard to ensure the best possible
results are achieved.
• Always ensure safe use of the grounds care equipment.

SUPPORTIVE OF CLUB ENVIRONMENT AND POLICIES:
• Cooperate fully with colleagues and be flexible when
assisting them in response to business needs of the group.
• Ensure a positive commitment towards equality and
diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any
form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or
harassment of any description and to promote positive
working relations amongst employees and customers.
• The above job description is not intended to be exhaustive;
the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time
according to the changing needs of the group.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:
• Fully endorse, demonstrate and carry out
the company’s health and safety policy.
• Comply with all company policies and statutory regulations relating to health and safety, safe working practices, hygiene, cleanliness, fire and COSHH. This will include your awareness of any specific hazards in your work place, and assist if required with the amending of risk assessments periodically.
• Have a full knowledge of procedures for evacuation with regard to fire.
• Identify and report maintenance requirements or hazards within the
workplace and encourage any workforce to do the same to avoid injury.

Where you’ll work

Dw Stadium

Loire Drive Robin Park

Wigan

Lancashire

WN5 0UZ

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Your training course

Advanced sports turf technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self, team and others. Implement safe working practices in accordance with statutory legislation and regulations (including carrying out risk assessments).

Allocate work and supervise staff in accordance with agreed maintenance plans.

Oversee the preparation of playing surfaces in accordance with relevant governing body rules/regulations.

Monitor sports turf surfaces and oversee the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders to an agreed plan. Develop a basic Integrated Pest Management plan.

Develop a basic maintenance plan for the facility, for a determined time period (for example, preparation for key competitions or events).

Apply a range of turfgrass growth and plant protection products (pesticides) in line with the agreed plan.

Set run times and precipitation rates (irrigation) and drainage fall.

Apply a range of techniques to gather agronomic and playability data by recording, interpreting and communicating in suitable formats (for example, electronic soil moisture, salinity, pH probes, soil sampler, thermometer, surface firmness testing equipment and playability testing).

Evaluate sports turf surfaces and make recommendations for improvements based on findings.

Promote environmental best practice and sustainable working practices.

Estimate and programme resource requirements to meet the scope of the turfgrass maintenance plan.

Oversee the preparation, general maintenance and storage of machines for use.

Apply basic fault finding techniques in order to identify problems with powered machinery and equipment.

Source information from suppliers/distributors/dealers to inform selection or tender services and or resources.

Contribute to the development and implementation of the maintenance budgets.

Identify, evaluate, plan and prepare sites for renovation.

Supervise and monitor the renovation or establishment of a sports turf facility.

Communicate information to stakeholders utilising formal and informal methods.

Supervise meetings and brief colleagues.

Assist with the training and mentoring of staff.

Use information technology to assist with effective communication and record keeping.

Manage own Continuing Professional Development, keeping up to date with working practices, environmental developments and advances in technology.

Oversee and undertake the operation, maintenance and servicing of irrigation or drainage systems, including minor repairs and problem solving issues.

Your training plan

Training will be delivered by Oldham College in the work place.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade Grade 9-4/A*-C or equivalent)
Maths (grade Grade 9-4/A*-C or equivalent)
Driving Licence (grade Pass)

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

Horticulture or Sports Turf (grade Level 2)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness
Reliable and hardworking
Able to work in all weathers
Able to follow instructions
Enthusiastic
Able to work under pressure

Other requirements

You will be expected to be flexible with the working hours. There is a degree of lifting and carrying that you will need to be able to carry out. Applications will only be accepted through the National Apprenticeship Website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. Please do not contact the employer direct. If your application is successful, you will be contacted by The Oldham College (normally via email) to invite you to attend a pre-interview and initial assessment

About this company

Wigan Athletic Football Club is a professional association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. Founded in 1932, they have played at the 25,138-seat The Brick Community Stadium since 1999, before which they played at Springfield Park.

https://wiganathletic.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Subject to the needs of the club you will be entitled to apply for any full time vacancies.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Andrea Kearns

andrea.kearns@oldham.ac.uk

0161 785 4072

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000277114.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 4 October at 11:59pm)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

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