Grounds Maintenance Apprentice

Summary

Princes Park Garden Centre in Irlam, Manchester are looking for a candidate to assist with their moss land regeneration project alongside general garden centre duties. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a keen interest in horticulture and gardening.

Wage: £16,900 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours: Mon – Fri, 9am – 4pm.
32 hours 30 minutes a week
Possible start date: Monday 7 April
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

· Assisting with the cultivation and growing on of specific species of plants for use in a land regeneration project.

· Working with adults with learning disabilities.

· Assisting with the display and upkeep of the plants for sale in the garden centre.

· Getting involved in community gardening projects.

Where you’ll work

PRINCES PARK

LIVERPOOL ROAD

IRLAM

MANCHESTER

M44 6BR

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

MYERSCOUGH 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

Training will be provided in the workplace through Myerscough College where you will work towards a Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Operative Apprenticeship. Core Qualifications The following qualifications will be required prior to taking the end point assessments:

· Emergency First Aid

· Level 2 Principals of the Safe Handling and application or Pesticides Guidance

· Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

2 other subjects (grade 2-9)
English (grade 2-9)
Maths (grade 2-9)

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
Customer care skills
Team working
Learning new skills

Other requirements

Irlam has a train station a ten minute walk from the garden centre. There is a bus stop a minutes walk from the garden centre. A route should be planned before applying. You will be expected to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Hi Viz Jacket and steel toe cap boots will be provided.

About this company

We are a fully functional garden Centre and community hub who provide work-based placements for adults with learning disabilities. We have our own on-site Charity shop and Café. We also grow specific varieties of plants for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, The National Trust and Natural England.

http://www.princesparkgardencentre.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

This could lead to a number of horticulture roles including garden centres and conservation trusts.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MYERSCOUGH COLLEGE

Employer Services

employerenquiries@myerscough.ac.uk

01995642222

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000299176.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Sunday 2 March at 11:59pm)

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