Sports Turf Apprenticeship

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and self-motivated individual to join a friendly team environment. To undertake all duties associated with maintaining and renovating sports surfaces within the remit of the Town Council, (football, cricket, bowling greens), ensuring that the facilities are in premium condition and fit for purpose.

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

Sports turf operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8.45am - 5.00pm

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Thursday 6 February

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

As an apprentice, you’ll work for the Town Council and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work:

The post holder will be required to:

Work as a member of the Grounds team to ensure playing surfaces are consistently well maintained and fit for purpose
Identify and ensure the correct application of materials, tools, equipment and machinery used in maintenance and renovation activities, under the supervision of the Apprentice mentor
Identify and understand different grasses, soil types, weeds, pests, diseases, turf disorders, artificial surfacing material, underlays, infill material, turf and soil reinforcement material, and line marking materials
Understand the principles of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration in the growth and development of plants, and apply this knowledge accordingly
Contribute to monitoring the impact of weather, ground conditions and usage on pitch quality and playing quality, and work with the Grounds team to take appropriate action as necessary
Contribute to minimising waste and reducing environmental impacts
Monitor, record and report basic grounds maintenance findings
Apply knowledge and skills with a logical and systematic approach, also demonstrating a positive work ethic in achieving the desired outcomes from the playing surfaces being maintained
Contribute to maintaining and renovating turf surfaces in a safe and appropriate manner
Use a range of equipment and machinery as required, including but not limited to, mowers, scarifiers, aerators and other specialist turf equipment, covering hand tools, as well as pedestrian operated, ride-on and tractor mounted implements
Correctly calibrate equipment for material requirements and apply at the correct rates a range of materials, including grass seed, fertiliser and bulky top-dressing
Use integrated prevention and control methods to reduce the incidence of diseases, disorders, pests and weeds on turf
Set and mark out playing areas in accordance with the rules of the sport governing bodies
Maintain tools, equipment and machinery used for maintenance and renovation activities, to ensure their safe and effective use
Maintain and conduct basic routine servicing and repairs to drainage and irrigation systems
Effectively communicate with others and provide an excellent level of customer service
Work safely, efficiently and effectively at all times, whether under supervision, as an individual, or in a team
The post holder will also be required to undertake any other duties as required by the Team Leader and/or Managers

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

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.
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

Sports Turf Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard:

Training will be delivered both in the workplace and with fortnightly attendance to East Durham College's Houghall campus on a fortnightly basis

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
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

This job requires working outside in all weathers and can be physically demanding.

About this company

Spennymoor Town Council delivers and funds many services, facilities and events for residents of Spennymoor.

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

Company benefits

A uniform and PPE will be provided. A college bus pass will be issued to help with travel.

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

The possibility of full time emoployment for the right candidate
Progression to the next level of qualification

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 VAC1000293220.

Apply now

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

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