Grounds Assistant Apprentice

Summary

As part of a team you will be responsible for assisting in maintaining the grounds and sports facilities of our beautiful 25 acre site. The majority of the workload is the maintenance of the existing lawns and boarders, with the additional responsibility of maintaining sports facilities. This is a trainee position within the wider Support Team.

Annual wage: £16,770 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7.30am to 4.30pm (1.5 hours breaks per day) 25 days holidays & 8 bank holidays
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 9 December
Duration: 1 year 6 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

Main Responsibilities

Report to Head of Grounds regularly to agree work priorities each day.

Maintain grass areas
Maintain sports pitches
Maintain swimming pool
Tend plants, flower beds and pots around the site
Sweep outside areas, maintaining a positive tidy environment

Duties will include:

Maintain Grounds
Mowing grass areas
Maintaining Sports Pitches & Courts
Boundaries – hedging and fences trimming
Topiary
Plant care & pruning
Pest & disease control
Plant fertilisation
Flower bed ongoing management
Seasonal pot displays
Pruning trees
Use grounds machinery and tools
Use any provided digital software; including checking emails daily
Paths sweep and trim edges
Suggest improvements to the garden, pruning, planting, border layout
Additional ad hock events and estate duties as directed by the Bursar
Maintenance duties are to include both mechanical and manual operations and will cover the broad spectrum of Sport ground Industry maintenance operations
Cricket pitch preparation and maintenance; mowing, scarifying, rolling, marking and autumn renovations
Football and Rugby Mowing, aeration, scarifying and fertilising; tractor mounted machinery
Line marking; Initial setting out and mark and weekly over marking
Brushing sand dressed artificial sports pitch
Ensuring the swimming pool is maintained appropriately
Assisting with the car parking at end of school day
Maintain car park areas
Pest Control
Gardening
Landscaping
Sports equipment setup – tennis nets/netball posts etc
Trimtrail maintenance
Maintenance of tractors & Mowers
To be on call for any inclement weather conditions, this will require the staff team to carry out gritting to clear snow/ice around site to enable the school to remain open / re-open for teaching staff and students
Assist with gritting of the site in icy weather, as per the policy, to keep the site safe and hazard free in icy conditions
Support the aims and ethos of the school at all times
Set a good example in terms of punctuality, attendance and to observe the school’s dress code
Attend INSET days
Participate in / support school events where possible e.g. Open Day, School Fete
Be proactive in maintaining pupil safety and the safety of others
Take part in staff annual review
Contribute to the implementation of school policies and procedures
Regularly review the school Events Calendar and understand your required involvement
Read and understand the school’s Health & Safety Policy a copy of which is held on the s:drive
Dealing with queries from suppliers and contractors
Reporting matters to the Head of Grounds/Bursar
To make decisions about priorities of work
Organise priorities – priorities are ever changing

Where you’ll work

THORNTON

MILTON KEYNES

BUCKS

MK17 0HJ

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).
(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

Delivery model:

Work-based training with your employer
Approximately 6 on-site assessment visits per year
20 days college attendance to complete Horticulture Principles and Practice course
4 days portfolio building sessions
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 Level 2 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

More training information

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 in:

Maths & English (grade 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
Initiative
Physical fitness

Other requirements

• Full Driving license is essential. • A genuine interest in gardens, working outdoors and horticulture. • Proven tact and diplomacy in dealing with adults and children • Physically fit and able to fulfil your duties; with an excellent health and time keeping record.

About this company

Independent School day and boarding school for girls ages 3-18.

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

After this apprenticeship

This role may become permanent for the right candidate with lots of potential for future career progression and personal development
There may also be the opportunity to progress onto a more advanced level apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Mike Stevens

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235216216

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000281614.

Apply now

Closes in 5 days (Friday 29 November at 11:59pm)

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