Apprentice Groundsperson

Summary

A great opportunity for smart, ambitious and self-motivated individual to join a friendly team while gaining a valuable qualification. Working in our Estates Department and accountable to the Head Groundsperson, you will be responsible for maintaining the school gardens and grounds to a high standard.

Annual wage: £12,313.60 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Sports turf operative (level 2)
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 24 February
Duration: 1 year 9 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

To maintain, to a high standard, all the school grounds according to seasonal Requirements
Renovation and maintenance of sports turf and non turf surfaces
Cutting and strimming grass to meet the specification for each area using both ride on and pedestrian machines
Tidying and collecting waste
Sweeping and preparing synthetic pitches
Setting up sports equipment such as tennis nets, goals, flags, stumps and boundaries
Line marking
Using both ride-on and pedestrian machines, powered and manual tools including servicing/pre and post use inspection
Assist with maintenance of the formal lawns including plant treatments, aeration, scarifying, verti-cutting and top dressing
Prepare, maintain and clean specialist equipment before and after use
Assist with tree maintenance (subject to training and qualifications)
Chemical applications such as fertilizers and herbicides (subject to training and qualifications)
Erecting small marquees and shelters
Leaf clearance, waste and litter clearance
Use of powered tools (i.e. strimmer's, blowers and hedge trimmers) subject to training
Tractor driving using powered implements

Where you’ll work

Blundells School

Bursars Office

Blundells Road

Tiverton

EX16 4DT

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

BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE

Your training course

Sports turf operative (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Apply the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).

Set and mark out the sports turf surface in accordance with the relevant governing body rules (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles).

Prepare machinery and equipment to ensure their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks.

Maintain levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems.

Inspect the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content).

Prepare the ground and established grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing).

Carry out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements.

Carry out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage).

Prepare and safely operate a tractor and it's attachments.

Select and use relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers).

Adopts a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues.

Identify a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).

Carry out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration).

Dispose of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.

Your training plan

Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard - Sports Turf Operative:
Level 2 Sports Turf Operative - Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Level 1 Functional Skills English - if required (exemptions apply)
Level 1 Functional Skills maths - if required (exemptions apply)

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

GCSE's inc English & maths (grade 9 to 2 (A* to E))

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
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Position will be working predominantly outdoors, a full driving license would be desirable

About this company

Founded in 1604, Blundell’s is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 11 – 18 years. Boasting excellent facilities and the best in pastoral care, we are committed to providing an outstanding learning experience for all students. Based in 90 acres of beautiful Devon countryside, Blundell’s fosters a friendly and open environment where both students and staff can thrive.

https://blundells.org/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

4 weeks paid holiday (pro-rata) plus bank holidays and customary days Company pension scheme Meals during term time Branded uniform provided (as required) Relevant internal and external training provided Use of excellent sports facilities

After this apprenticeship

Permanent postion on completion of appenticeship.

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