Greenkeeper Apprentice

Summary

As our golf greenkeeper apprentice, you will be responsible for the maintenance, care, and overall appearance of the RJ National, three-hole golf course, as well as our 5 a side football pitch! Learning how to operate a range of equipment and machinery safely and competently, you will ensure a good quality playing surface is maintained.

Annual wage: £13,468 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Golf greenkeeper (level 2)
Hours: Working pattern dependent on age. For 16-18 years Monday to Thursday: 7:30am- 3:30pm (30 min lunch unpaid) Friday: 7:30am- 3:00pm (30 min lunch unpaid) For 18 years and above The work pattern will be a 9 day fortnight with every other Friday off
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 20 January
Duration: 1 year
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

At Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd, we design and manufacture professional turf-care equipment under the brands of Ransomes and Jacobsen. Our mission is to be the premier supplier of high-quality and environmentally conscious turf equipment, providing superior performance for our customers. From prestigious championship golf courses to the World Cup, for more than a century, the most important turf in the world has been manicured by our brand.

As our golf greenkeeper at Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd in Ipswich, you will be responsible for the maintenance, care, and overall appearance of the RJ National, our very own three-hole golf course, as well as our 5-a-side football pitch. Learning how to operate a range of equipment and machinery safely and competently, you will ensure a good quality playing surface is maintained.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Maintaining the playing surfaces to a high professional standard of play and presentation
Maintaining the rough and bio-diversity areas to an environmental standard
Managing the irrigation system effectively and recording all water usage
Adapting the programs to suit local weather conditions and rainfall
Operating the course machinery to the standards set out in the operators instruction book and performing basic maintenance on the same machinery
Pruning trees, trimming hedges and cutting back shrubs as required
Assisting in the set-up of customer visits, demonstrations and product training as required
General site maintenance, including planting beds and general duties associated with the site
With assistance, planning and applying a fertiliser schedule for the turf areas
Helping with the planning and expansion of the mower testing areas

Where you’ll work

Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd West Road

Ransomes Industrial Estate

IP3 9TT

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

SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE

Your training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Identify and maintain natural habitats and areas of biodiversity.
Apply irrigation to achieve appropriate soil conditions and golf course playability.
Handle, store and dispose of golf course waste materials in accordance with environmental or waste management policies.
Monitor and maintain standards of health, safety and security for oneself, colleagues, golfers and visitors on the golf course and surrounding areas, in line with legislation and company policy and procedures.
Establish and maintain working relationships with greenkeeping staff, colleagues and others within the golf club environment.
Keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies to maintain and develop personal performance.
Communicate golf course related information to stakeholders, including greenkeeping staff, colleagues and golfers.
Mark and maintain golf areas in line with the Rules of Golf (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds and tee markers).
Measure, record and communicate green speeds applying the United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
Position and change golf holes to the required finish and in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
Set up mowers and mow areas of the golf course in accordance with golf course standards.
Maintain and present bunkers for play.
Switch and brush golf course turf.
Set up equipment and aerate and scarify areas of the golf course.
Repair damaged golf turf in play (for example, by turfing, plugging or patching).
Use a range of integrated methods to control weeds, moss, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorder
Apply top dressing in accordance with golf course requirements.
Apply fertiliser to playing surfaces.
Prepare, set up, operate and store tools, equipment and machinery in line with manufacturers' instructions and to the required specifications, to ensure their safe and effective use on golf turf surfaces and surrounding areas.
Carry out routine maintenance to tools, equipment and machinery used for greenkeeping practices, in line with manufacturers' instructions and company policies and procedures.
Prepare and operate a tractor with attachments in line with manufacturers instructions, legislation and company policies and procedures (including risk assessment, hitching, and safe stop).
Maintain and renovate non-turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas.
Monitor and record soil and plant health data.
Prepare ground and establish turf and seed.
Identification of grass type through seed inspection and physical inspection of the plant using either common or botanical names.
Identify and maintain natural habitats and areas of biodiversity.
Apply irrigation to achieve appropriate soil conditions and golf course playability.
Handle, store and dispose of golf course waste materials in accordance with environmental or waste management policies.
Monitor and maintain standards of health, safety and security for oneself, colleagues, golfers and visitors on the golf course and surrounding areas, in line with legislation and company policy and procedures.
Establish and maintain working relationships with greenkeeping staff, colleagues and others within the golf club environment.
Keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies to maintain and develop personal performance.
Communicate golf course related information to stakeholders, including greenkeeping staff, colleagues and golfers.
Mark and maintain golf areas in line with the Rules of Golf (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds and tee markers).
Measure, record and communicate green speeds applying the United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.
Position and change golf holes to the required finish and in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
Set up mowers and mow areas of the golf course in accordance with golf course standards.
Maintain and present bunkers for play.
Switch and brush golf course turf.
Set up equipment and aerate and scarify areas of the golf course.
Repair damaged golf turf in play (for example, by turfing, plugging or patching).
Use a range of integrated methods to control weeds, moss, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorder
Apply top dressing in accordance with golf course requirements.
Apply fertiliser to playing surfaces.
Prepare, set up, operate and store tools, equipment and machinery in line with manufacturers' instructions and to the required specifications, to ensure their safe and effective use on golf turf surfaces and surrounding areas.
Carry out routine maintenance to tools, equipment and machinery used for greenkeeping practices, in line with manufacturers' instructions and company policies and procedures.
Prepare and operate a tractor with attachments in line with manufacturers instructions, legislation and company policies and procedures (including risk assessment, hitching, and safe stop).
Maintain and renovate non-turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas.
Monitor and record soil and plant health data.
Prepare ground and establish turf and seed.
Identification of grass type through seed inspection and physical inspection of the plant using either common or botanical names.

Your training plan

Suffolk New College Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper Standard English and maths (if required) Level 2

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths (grade 3)
English (grade 3)

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

Good Problem-Solver
Attention to detail
Good Communication

Other requirements

You will be expected to work outdoors in most weather conditions unless the weather prohibits the function of a particular job. Where possible in this case, indoor work will be organised. All PPE provided including safety footwear. We hold a number of events throughout the year including customer visits, demonstrations and product training, all of which we would like your support in setting up and getting ready for. Shortlisting and interviews will take place throughout the duration of the vacancy advert. This may mean that the vacancy could close before the published cut-off date should suitable candidates be found.

About this company

Textron Specialized Vehicles are a global manufacturer of golf cars, utility and personal transportation vehicles, snowmobiles, side-by-sides, all-terrain vehicles, professional turf-care equipment, and ground support equipment. At Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd, we design and manufacture professional turf-care equipment under the brands of Ransomes and Jacobsen. Our mission is to be the premier supplier of high-quality and environmentally conscious turf equipment, providing superior performance for our customers. From prestigious championship golf courses to the World Cup, for more than a century, the most important turf in the world has been manicured by our brand. The site in Ipswich focuses on design, manufacturing, building, and testing a number of different products.

After this apprenticeship

Any career progression routes will be discussed upon successful completion of the apprenticeship

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