Job Description

As an Apprentice Gardener you will work within the Council™s award winning Grounds Maintenance team learning all aspects of maintaining the Council™s land. You will develop your horticulture skills working within the local parks, gardens (including Green Flag standard sites), cemeteries and sports grounds. Work tasks will include: Assisting with the planting and maintenance of seasonal displays Maintenance of sustainable roadside floral displays Maintenance of the Council™s bowling greens, cricket squares and football pitches Seasonal soft landscape work and grass, hedge and shrub border maintenance To undertake the above tasks you will learn to use strimmer™s pedestrian and ride on grass cutting machinery, hedge trimmers, various hand tools and a range of fine turf machinery. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, keen to learn both on the job and at college, conscientious with a high level of common sense and professionalism. You should be aware that you would be expected to work outside all year round and in all weather conditions. Candidates will also be expected to have a minimum GCSE (or equivalent) grade C in English and Maths and will need to attend an assessment session at Sparsholt College before starting on the apprenticeship course. You will be based at the Council™s depot and the Apprenticeship training will be undertaken on a day release basis at Sparsholt College. As part of a team you will develop your on the job skills to: Maintain sports grounds, parks, cemeteries and other public spaces. Undertake horticultural duties including soft and hard landscaping, site preparation, planting, turf maintenance and pruning of trees, shrubs and bedding maintenance. Assist in the excavation and backfilling of graves. Inspect and maintain equipped play areas and other sites. Sweep, collect and remove litter, rubbish and animal waste. Complete very basic paperwork. You must make sure that you follow our procedures and Health and Safety rules. You need to behave properly and remember that you represent the Council in all that you do. You must speak to customers and colleagues in a helpful and polite way. You will be expected to undertake your œoff the job Apprenticeship training on a day release basis at college. The training you will be getting You will attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis during term time, where you will work towards the following: Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard Emergency First AidPA1 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. Full qualifications include; (Core) Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (Ofqual registered) minimum 1-day course (Horticulture Operative) Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides OR City and Guilds Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides (Horticulture Operative) Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticide Using Hand Held Equipment OR City and Guilds Level 2 Award In The Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment (Landscaping construction) City and Guilds NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Safe Use of Abrasive Wheel Machines or Lantra Abrasive Wheel Machines CourseApprentices will need to achieve the EPA's to achieve their apprenticeship: On-line 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 3 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 knowledgeYou will be required to attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis to learn about horticulture, to include: Health and Safety Use and maintain non-powered and handheld powered equipment Use and maintain pedestrian controlled equipment Environment protection Plant identification and nomenclature - Latin and common Vegetation control Soil science and cultivation Plant establish and maintenance Plant grown Plant health Establish and maintain amenity areas Survey and mark out sites for landscaping features Construct hard landscape features Maintain hard landscape features What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship A permanent position may be offered upon successful completion of apprenticeship. Potential to be taken onto the team permanently as an assistant gardener after successful completion of your apprenticeship.

Required Skills & Qualification

Communication skills, Attention to detail, Organisation skills, Customer care skills, Problem solving skills, Team working, Initiative, Physical fitness, An interest in Horticulture, Motivated, Reliable with good timekeeping

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade C (4)) EssentialGCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade C (4) OR ABOVE) EssentialOther Driving Licence (Grade Full) Desired

Apprenticeship Standard

Horticulture or landscape construction operative Level 2 (GCSE)

Employer

Fareham Borough Council

Fareham Borough Council Broadcut Depot Fareham PO16 8SP

Provider

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE