Grounds Apprentice

Summary

A Turf Apprentice with Wiltshire County FA will help improve our headquarters at Green Lane, Devizes. We have a FIFA approved 3G playing surface as well as 3 grass pitches which are all maintained in house with support from contractors. This role will also support the ‘grow your ground’ program, annual site renovations & grassroots club support

Annual wage

£10,649.60 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Additional grounds/operations/health and safety qualifications and personal development included in the role as was as the chance to work closely with other areas of the FA, the Grounds Management Association and Football Foundation.

Training course

Sports turf operative (level 2)

Hours

Green Lane is open from 9:00am until 10:00pm weekdays & 9:00am to 5:00pm on weekends. Shifts will be mostly daytime to complete pitch and grounds maintenance/preparation as well as 1 to 2 evening or weekend days per week on a rota.

32 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 21 October

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

Maintaining and improving the 1x 11v11 adult, 1x 11v11 youth and 1x 9v9 grass pitches as well as the fullsized 11v11 artificial 3G surface.
Maintaining and improving all surrounding natural and decorative areas on site that are off of the playing surfaces, including but not restricted to: main reception, carpark, site boundaries.
Support the facility management in the planning and delivery of annual pitch renovations.

Where you’ll work

WILTSHIRE FA

GREEN LANE

DEVIZES

SN10 5EP

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

WILTSHIRE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE

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

On successful completion of the Sports Turf Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship, you will hold the qualification of the Apprenticeship Standard.
On site training.
FA first aid and safeguarding qualifications
Up to level 3 Grounds Management Association pitch care online courses.
All training online or onsite at WCFA, with some visits to other FA sites and hubs in our counties.

Requirements

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
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative

Other requirements

The role will be to develop and maintain both the artificial playing surface and grass pitches. This role is unique due to being overseen by the County FA which gives exclusive opportunities. Some admin tasks, such as emails and attending staff meetings as you will be a key member of the facility team and the County FA.

About this company

Wiltshire FA is the not-for-profit, governing body of football in Wiltshire. We grow participation, promote diversity and regulate the sport for everyone to enjoy. With 1000 teams and in excess of 19,000 players of all ages and abilities playing in the County, Wiltshire FA is proud to support football for all. Our role is to grow participation, promote diversity and regulate the game for everyone to enjoy, so whether you're a player, parent, club official or referee we want to support and continue to improve your football experience in the county. Educate. Develop. Support. These principles have driven Wiltshire FA's work since it was founded in 1884.

https://www.wiltshirefa.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Facility Grounds Opperative
Facility Assistant
Duty Manager

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WILTSHIRE COUNTY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LTD

David Ridley

david.ridley@WiltshireFA.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000275483.

Apply now

Closes in 7 days (Sunday 6 October at 11:59pm)

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