Horticulture and Estates Apprentice

Summary

Believe Housing are seeking to appoint a horticultural and estates apprentice to cover Durham and Bishop Auckland In this fantastic opportunity, you will be part of the Horticultural and estates team and you will complete a program of development and training in Neighbourhoods to ensure our estates properties are maintained to a high standard.

Annual wage

£19,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The wage shown is for year one of the apprenticeship. Year 2 will be paid at £22071.00 per year

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

You will work Monday to Friday for 37 hours per week (hours to be confirmed at interview).

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 18 November

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

To work as part of a team with the Horticultural and Estates Team ensuring appropriate standards are met on our Estates.
To maintain a high standard of environmental cleanliness on our Estates.
To assist in carrying out inspections to our communal areas within flat blocks as required.
Carrying out horticultural tasks such as pruning, mulching, weeding, planting out.
Machinery operation and maintenance such as strimming, mowing, hedgecutting.
Selecting and using tools and equipment consistent with risk assessments.
To work as part of the believe housing Neighbourhoods and Horticultural and Estates Teams contributing to continuous service improvement.
Manage health and safety issues in your area of responsibility in line with the relevant section(s) of the relevant Health and Safety Policy.
Comply with organisation confidentiality and information security policies at all times.
Your duties may vary from time to time within the broad remit of your role and grade. You are required to undertake any such reasonable and appropriate duties.

Where you’ll work

Spectrum 6

Spectrum Business Park

Seaham

Durham

SR7 7TT

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

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

Your training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).

(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.

(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.

(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.

(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.

(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.

(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.

(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.

(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).

(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).

(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.

(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.

(Core) Install turf for situation.

(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.

(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.

(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.

(Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.

(Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.

(Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.

(Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.

(Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.

(Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.

(Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).

(Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.

(Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.

(Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.

(Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.

(Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).

(Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).

(Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).