Summary
Opportunity to join our Grounds Maintenance team working across the district whilst undertaking your apprenticeship programme.
Wage
£16,546.40 a year
Yr 1 - £8.60 per hour Yr 2 - £ 11.44 per hour
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Hours
37 hours per week Monday – Thursday 07:30 – 15:30 and Friday 07:30 – 15:00.
37 hours a week
Possible start date
Monday 14 April
Duration
2 years 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
Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative Purpose
* Application of pesticides once the appropriate qualification has been achieved
* Using machinery including mowers, strimmers and hedge-cutters
Shrub Pruning and hedge cutting
* Establishing effective working relationships with others
All employees are required to support the Council's safeguarding policy and undergo any associated training to ensure its functions are delivered having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
Authority and accountability: Completion of tasks with work closely monitored by the team leader, supervisor or mentor.
Depending on the level of skill and the degree of training, the employee may complete either work or sections of the work which will then be checked by the supervisor / mentor or may work under close supervision. The level of authority and accountability will also be indicated by the employee’s position within the apprenticeship. Employees will be responsible for the quality of their own work up to their level of skill and competence and subject to supervision and instructions/guidance.
Judgement and problem-solving: Judgement is dependent on the level of skill and competence and the degree of training and will be subject to co-ordination by other workers.
Specialist knowledge and skills: Specialist knowledge and skills are obtained through on-the-job training and council-based induction training. This training complements that received off-the-job at college, which will lead to the appropriate qualification. The application of the specialist knowledge and skills will depend on the stage that the employee has reached in his/her training.
Employees will be required to follow and apply rules, regulations, guidelines, instructions and procedures pertinent to their work.
Interpersonal skills: Communication with other staff in receiving instructions and in advising ofwork carried out. Communication with the public may also occur. The ability to relate well at all levels will become more important as the apprenticeship progresses.
Commitment to a career in the horticultural industry and the ability to take responsibility for your own learning and development would be essential.
Due to funding criteria, we are unable to accept applications from candidates who have already achieved an equivalent level of qualification in Horticulture or who already have several years' experience in this type of work.
Where you’ll work
Unit 8B Hardley Industrial Estate
Hardley, Hythe
Southampton
SO45 3NQ
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
SPARSHOLT 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
Required to attande Sparsholt College on a day release basis. Day to be confirmed.
More training information
Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard.
Emergency First Aid.
PA1 PA6.
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths must achieve Level 1 and take the test for Level 2 before taking the end-point assessment.
Apprentices will need to achieve the EPA's to achieve their apprenticeship:
Online knowledge assessment - a 60-minute online test containing 40 multiple-choice questions
Practical assessment EPA - a range of 4 practical activities taking no more than six hours undertaken in controlled conditions with responses to verbal questioning from the Independent End Point Assessor. The apprentice will undertake three core tasks and one task from the optional route - Horticulture or Landscaping.
Professional Discussion EPA - An hour-long professional discussion under controlled conditions between the EPA and the apprentice to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade D (3) or above)
* Maths (grade D (3) or above)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade C (4) or above)
* Maths (grade C (4) or above)
Other in:
* Driving (grade Full)
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
* Team working
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
This is a physically demanding role where you will be required to work outside in all weathers. You will also be required to attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis during term time.