Countryside Worker Apprentice

Summary

We are looking for an apprentice with a passion for the natural environment to complete a broad range of tasks and activities across both the Fruitworks and Yorgreen companies.

Annual wage: £9,984 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Countryside worker (level 2)
Hours: There’s some flexibility here and it would change seasonally, this will be discussed on interview.
30 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 21 October
Duration: 1 Year 3 Months
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

The role is to be shared across both businesses to give the breadth of experience and skill development required for this apprenticeship qualification.

Assisting with workshops and events
Recycling & waste management
Facility cleaning
Email inbox management
Tree surgery grounds-person
Equipment & site safety checks
Chipping
Clearing up
Chainsaw use (if trained)
Tree planting
Dry-stone wall repair
Fence construction & repair
Footpath restoration
Environment conservation
Flood management

As a small business, you will gain insight into all areas of how to run a business, giving really valuable experience for any future career.

Where you’ll work

WOODVILLE ACTIVITY CENTRE

WOODVILLE ROAD

KEIGHLEY

BD20 6JA

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

CRAVEN COLLEGE

Your training course

Countryside worker (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Manage habitats using a range of specialist techniques such as coppicing, hedge laying, river/stream bank stabilisation and establishing native plants, using appropriate tools and equipment. This could also include new and developing sustainable practices such as using natural materials to manage excessive rainfall (in constructing leaky dams and bale dams) and subsequently manage erosion and flood damage.

Construct or repair boundaries including different fencing types (such as post and rail, stock fencing), hedging (establishing a new hedge or laying an existing hedge) and dry stone walling depending on the geographic location/landscape and local natural materials.

Construct or maintain access ways, for example a path surface using aggregate, stone pitching, slabs, bark, concrete or tarmac. This will include the skills to ensure that the path surface drains properly.

Manage vegetation in a range of different situations, for example strimming pathways, using pesticides, managing trees and hedgerows, eradicating invasive species in order to conserve native flora and fauna.

Construct and /or maintain site furniture for access and interpretation. For example, bridges, gates, stiles, boardwalks, signs/waymarks or information boards using sustainable materials where possible. This will involve both following standard methods and also undertaking site specific design. For example, installing a gate on a sloping field will involve modifying the standard method, while every river or stream crossing while require a different design.

Use a range of hand tools and powered tools safely such as hammers, panel saws, levels, drills, strimmers or chainsaws, hold the relevant certification for powered equipment and undertake the routine maintenance of the tools used.

Problem solving: be resourceful in finding solutions to problems that may arise in day to day work and know when to ask a supervisor for advice.

Identify a range of British flora and fauna native to the specific local area e.g. commonly seen birds, mammals, insects, herbs, flowers, trees or fungi to determine the appropriate habitat management needed.

Undertake surveys which feed in to site management plans and work plans, for example, survey habitats and species, numbers of visitors, the condition of Rights of Way or structures/furniture.

Write a simple dynamic risk assessment and be able to use it on site. Use the risk assessment as the basis of working safely; understanding the hazards on the site and involved in the wide range of practical tasks undertaken by Countryside Workers. Know how to reduce these risks to an acceptable level for themselves, the public and colleagues through using safe working practices and wearing personal protective equipment.

Communicate effectively in a range of situations e.g. through face to face interaction, electronic communication, telephoning or presenting to members of the public, contractors, colleagues or landowners.

Your training plan

The apprentice will be expected to attend Craven College fortnightly on a Friday, the week they are not in college they are expected to be at work.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

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
Presentation skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Physical fitness

About this company

YorgreenCIC aim to support communities to create and manage green space and meet future demands through multi-functional land use. We look at woodland, natural flood management, INNS, special work, and volunteering. Whilst based in Keighley, we do venture out to help the surrounding areas. Fruitworks are a fruit tree specialist in Bradford and Leeds. We are a small team with a shared mission to make fruit growing more widespread and accessible. It is our belief that fruit growing can and should be easy and that anyone can do it. Our work is spread across 4 main areas: designing and planting orchards, pruning mature fruit trees, growing and selling fruit trees from our nursery, and delivering training workshops. Since its beginnings in 2020, Fruit Works has blossomed into a busy enterprise with numerous projects across Leeds and Bradford. We now work with schools, councils, community groups and individuals to provide trees and training for budding fruit growers

https://yorgreencic.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Potential for permanent employment as we look to expand the business.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CRAVEN COLLEGE

Sally Whitaker-Boucher

sally.whitaker-boucher@craven-college.ac.uk

07702 899655

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000280489.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 17 October at 11:59pm)

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