Horticulture and Estates Apprentice

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
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
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

(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).