Horticulture and Estates Apprentice
Abingdon & Witney College
Oxfordshire, OX29 9UU
Closes in 25 days (Monday 16 September at 11:59pm)
Posted on 12 June 2024
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to become part of the horticulture and estates team at Common Leys Farm Campus. You will be trained in all aspects of horticulture and estates maintenance and assist the team in maintaining the horticultural unit and the estate grounds to a very high standard.
- Annual wage
- £15,000 a year
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
8.30- 5.00 on Monday to Thursday & 8.30- 4.30 on Friday
37 hours a week
- Possible start date
-
Monday 23 September
- 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
Apprentices will normally work on a set of related activities within the estate, horticulture unit and grounds of Common leys Farm campus but may at times of peak demand or when colleagues are absent be asked to extend their normal range of duties to assist with tasks across the other college campuses.
DUTIES
- To complete tasks following agreed procedures, to a high standard, and to meet deadlines;
- To prioritise work according to the guidance of the supervisors working in the area
- To maintain and prepare equipment used for horticulture teaching and estates and grounds maintenance
- Carry out all tasks associated with the development and maintenance of the estate, horticulture unit and grounds of Common Leys Farm Campus.
- Assist with maintaining the appropriate records required on the estate.
- Undertake minor repairs within the farm estate, grounds and horticulture unit
- Assist the teaching staff and work with students to help them complete tasks
- Assist the Horticulture Instructors/Technicians with the development and maintenance of all aspects of the horticulture unit.
- Assist the Estates and Machinery Lead with landscaping, fencing, boundary maintenance, field work, machinery maintenance and all other aspects of estate maintenance.
- Assist in the maintenance of standards laid down for the operation of the campus, including discipline, health and safety, cleanliness, tidiness and security.
- Carry out horticulture duties at weekends at certain times of the year for which time off in lieu will be given.
- To work towards and successfully achieve a Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship. Most of this training is delivered within the workplace but you will be required to attend classes within college to achieve the technical certificate and functional skills necessary for the apprenticeship.
Where you’ll work
Pitts Lane, Hailey
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX29 9UU
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
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Your training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
Course contents
Your training plan
Duration:
• 15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment
Delivery model:
• Work-based training with your employer
• Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
• 14 days college attendance to complete Horticulture Principles and
Practice course
• 1 day college attendance to complete Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid course
• 2 days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA1 Pesticides course (theory)
• 2 days college attendance to complete L2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
• Level 1 Functional Skills in Maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
• Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work
Qualifications included:
• Level 1 Functional Skills in English and Maths
• Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid
• Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides
• Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment
• Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship
End Point Assessment:
• Knowledge test
• Practical assessment
• Professional discussion
What next?
Working and learning in the horticulture and landscape industries is rewarding, offers a diverse range of
employment and further training opportunities.
Entry criteria
Applicants are likely to have 4 GCSEs A*- C / 9 - 4, including Maths and English, or equivalent, and will
need to demonstrate the ability to achieve all elements of the apprenticeship during their programme,
including working in a suitable job role.
Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early.
Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session:
Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to attend an Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session at Witney or Abingdon campus.
This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions.
As a new Apprenticeship applicant you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session please call us on 01235 216216.
Qualification checks:
By applying for this vacancy you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £6.40 per hour from April 2024. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
- Maths & English (grade A*- C / 9 - 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
- Team working
- Creative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Good work ethic, commitment, good time keeping, good team player, willingness to work outdoors.
About this company
Abingdon and Witney College is a leading education provider offering a range of vocational courses, higher education courses and apprenticeships.
https://abingdon-witney.ac.uk/campuses/common-leys-farm (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
A permanent position with development and CPD opportunities.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Mike
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235216216
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000257500.
Apply now
Closes in 25 days (Monday 16 September at 11:59pm)
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