Grounds Maintenance Apprentice

Summary

Opportunity to join our Grounds Maintenance team working across the district whilst undertaking your apprenticeship programme.

Annual wage

£16,546.40 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Yr 1 - £8.60 per hour Yr 2 - £ 11.44 per hour

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

37 hours per week Monday – Thursday 07:30 – 15:30 and Friday 07:30 – 15:00.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 14 April

Duration

2 years 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

Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative Purpose

Application of pesticides once the appropriate qualification has been achieved
Using machinery including mowers, strimmers and hedge-cutters
Shrub Pruning and hedge cutting
Establishing effective working relationships with others

All employees are required to support the Council's safeguarding policy and undergo any associated training to ensure its functions are delivered having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Authority and accountability: Completion of tasks with work closely monitored by the team leader, supervisor or mentor.

Depending on the level of skill and the degree of training, the employee may complete either work or sections of the work which will then be checked by the supervisor / mentor or may work under close supervision. The level of authority and accountability will also be indicated by the employee’s position within the apprenticeship. Employees will be responsible for the quality of their own work up to their level of skill and competence and subject to supervision and instructions/guidance.

Judgement and problem-solving: Judgement is dependent on the level of skill and competence and the degree of training and will be subject to co-ordination by other workers.

Specialist knowledge and skills: Specialist knowledge and skills are obtained through on-the-job training and council-based induction training. This training complements that received off-the-job at college, which will lead to the appropriate qualification. The application of the specialist knowledge and skills will depend on the stage that the employee has reached in his/her training.

Employees will be required to follow and apply rules, regulations, guidelines, instructions and procedures pertinent to their work.

Interpersonal skills: Communication with other staff in receiving instructions and in advising ofwork carried out. Communication with the public may also occur. The ability to relate well at all levels will become more important as the apprenticeship progresses.

Commitment to a career in the horticultural industry and the ability to take responsibility for your own learning and development would be essential.

Due to funding criteria, we are unable to accept applications from candidates who have already achieved an equivalent level of qualification in Horticulture or who already have several years' experience in this type of work.

Where you’ll work

Unit 8B Hardley Industrial Estate

Hardley, Hythe

Southampton

SO45 3NQ

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

SPARSHOLT 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).
(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.

Your training plan

Required to attande Sparsholt College on a day release basis. Day to be confirmed.

More training information

Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard.

Emergency First Aid.

PA1 PA6.

Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths must achieve Level 1 and take the test for Level 2 before taking the end-point assessment.

Apprentices will need to achieve the EPA's to achieve their apprenticeship:

Online knowledge assessment - a 60-minute online test containing 40 multiple-choice questions

Practical assessment EPA - a range of 4 practical activities taking no more than six hours undertaken in controlled conditions with responses to verbal questioning from the Independent End Point Assessor. The apprentice will undertake three core tasks and one task from the optional route - Horticulture or Landscaping.

Professional Discussion EPA - An hour-long professional discussion under controlled conditions between the EPA and the apprentice to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade D (3) or above)
Maths (grade D (3) or above)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade C (4) or above)
Maths (grade C (4) or above)

Other in:

Driving (grade Full)

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
Team working
Physical fitness

Other requirements

This is a physically demanding role where you will be required to work outside in all weathers. You will also be required to attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis during term time.

About this company

With our main office based in Lyndhurst in the heart of the stunning New Forest National Park, New Forest District Council (NFDC) is an excellent place to work and thrive. We work together and with partners to provide a wide range of highly valued services to our community. We believe that all our employees make a valuable contribution to the work of the council, and encourage a trusting and open culture where each employee is supported and respected, where ideas are actively sought, and self-development promoted. 93% of our residents think the New Forest is a great place to live. It really does have it all. It combines a stunning natural environment with thriving market towns whilst also including some of the south coast’s biggest new developments. There are excellent schools and colleges as well as Bournemouth, Salisbury, and Southampton close by. The New Forest is a fascinating place that we will be delighted to introduce you to if you don’t already know it.

https://www.newforest.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

A permanent position may be secured on successful completion of your apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

Wayne Dawkins

023 8028 5374

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000294986.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Friday 14 February)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

The link will take you to NFDC's recruitment page, click on the apply online link

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