Job Title: Apprentice Gardener Hours per Week: 39 hours Course Duration: 24 Months Reporting to: Head Gardener Location: Blackheath with some travel to Beckenham and 1 study day per week About us Morden College has more than 200 older people living in alms house accommodation on two sites across Blackheath and Beckenham. At Morden College we are committed to providing services that support our residents to live independent and healthy lives. As well as independent living our Blackheath site is also home to the Morden College Care Home. About the role and who we are looking for This is a new role for Morden College and is designed to assist with the maintenance of areas of Morden College to an exceptionally high standard. You will contribute towards the delivery of garden plans and programmes of work under the direction of the Head Gardener. You will study and complete a Level 2 Horticulture or Landscape Operative Qualification with Grey Seal and have the opportunity to apply for a permanent role of Gardener (if there is a vacancy) when you complete your qualification. Main duties and responsibilities: • Day to day cultivation and maintenance of gardens and formal areas. • Maintenance is to include but not exhaustive of the following, pruning, weeding, planting, mowing, fertilising, spraying. • Learning about plant and tree identification. • Learning how to identify and control weeds, pests and diseases. • Prepare ground for new and existing planting schemes. • The safe use and operation of equipment and machinery used in Horticultural maintenance. • To adhere to current Health and Safety legislation and best practice in accordance with the Colleges Health and Safety Policy. • To ensure own safety, and the safety of others who may be affected by your actions. Employees must follow instructions and co-operate at all times with their line manager to enable Morden College to meet its legal responsibilities. Employees must stop work if the nature of the situation involves risk of serious injury to any person and must report any hazardous situation or defective equipment to their line manager without delay. • Carry out specific projects as directed. • Attend all annual training as requested. • To arrive on time, in the correct uniform and with a positive, can-do attitude As an apprenticeship role, you will be required to learn on the job and with our apprenticeship training provider. You must be committed to achieving the relevant qualification and completing all other mandatory learning and development. The Ideal Candidate: • GCSE English and Maths Grade 4 or above or willing to undertake functional skills. • A keen interest in Horticulture. • Some general gardening experience. • Experience of using mowers, strimmers or other gardening machinery is desirable. • You are someone who takes pride in their work. • You have a good sense of initiative.