Horticulture and Grounds Apprentice

Summary

Spennymoor Town Council are offering an opportunity for a Horticultural Apprentice to join their team. The role will be to maintain all Town Council grounds and open spaces to a high standard. For example, grass cutting, hedge trimming, path clearance, tree pruning, borders, flower beds and hanging baskets.

Annual wage

£14,430 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£7.50 per hour until April 2025, increasing to £8.50 per hour from April 2025

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday between 8.45am to 5.00pm.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 3 February

Duration

2 years

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

Duties will include but are not limited to:

Maintain all Town Council grounds and open spaces
Keep open spaces clear of litter
Maintain and repair of picnic tables, fences and benches
Horticulture activities as required, such as grass cutting, hedge trimming, path clearance, tree pruning, borders, flower beds and hanging baskets
Check and maintain play equipment; making repairs where possible or reporting defects to the Team Leader or Manager
Carry out tree work and woodland management as directed
Carry out work relating to memorial garden and cemetery interments
Work in accordance with the Town Council’s Health & Safety policies and other policies and legislation/guidelines
With the direction of the Manager or Team Leader maintain all vehicles and machinery in good working condition
Advise members of the public of responsibilities in respect of associated regulations and orders regarding park management and maintenance
Ensure that a quality service is delivered at all times
Undertake all required training

Where you’ll work

TOWN HALL

SPENNYMOOR

CO DURHAM

DL16 6DG

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

EAST DURHAM 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

Training will take place in both the workplace and at East Durham College's Hopughall Campus in Durham one day per week.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 9-3 (A*- D))
Math's (grade 9-3 (A*- D))

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
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

This job will involve working outside in all weathers. The role can be physically demanding, including lifting and carrying.

About this company

Spennymoor Town Council delivers and funds many services, facilities and events for residents of Spennymoor, and is dedicated to enhancing the social and environmental practices within the community through effective management of local services and assets

https://spennymoor-tc.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Uniform and PPE will be provided. The College also offers a free bus pass for students.

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

Progression onto higher Horticulture qualifications and further industry applicable tickets.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

Hayley Clifton

hayley.clifton@eastdurham.ac.uk

01915188294

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000293200.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Monday 6 January at 11:59pm)

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