Apprentice Maintenance Gardener

Greenside Gardens is looking for a hard working, punctual and reliable gardening apprentice who has the enthusiasm to learn. This position requires a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to work as part of a team.

With this job comes over 15 years of gardening knowledge and experience at your disposal. As a family run business, working for Greenside Gardens is a great way to gain confidence and gain experience in a friendly workplace environment.

You’ll be taught to use power tools as well as learn to use the ride on mower for large lawn cutting jobs.

Your uniform will be provided for you.

As an added extra, this job comes with a monthly financial bonus if you stay punctual and on top of your game.

About Us

Michael Weller has owned Greenside Gardens for 7 years. Michael has worked professionally in the horticulture industry for 15 years.

We work all over the South East in care homes, communal blocks, manor homes and many more.

Vacancy description

You will be responsible for:

• Day to day maintenance of gardens of various sizes across the south east using machinery and tools
• Carrying out additional jobs such as garden clearances, planting and some landscaping jobs
• Engaging with customers on their wants/needs in their gardens
• Taking on responsibilities such as tool maintenance

Desired skills

• A keen interest in Horticulture
• Must enjoy working outside
• A resilient approach to work. Such as the ability to be working outside even in poor weather
• Time keeping ability
• Excellent communication skills
• Problem solving ability
• Detail orientated
• Initiative
• Team Working
• Customer service skills
• Physical fitness

Future prospects

• After the apprenticeship there will be opportunities to further your knowledge and progress within the company. This includes additional courses or licenses paid for by the company.

Hours

40 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm. Some occasional weekend work. 

Things to consider

• As this is an apprenticeship role, you will come to college for training. Please consider how you will commute to and from Plumpton College.

  Due to the nature of the work, own transport is advisable unless you live within a reasonable catchment area.

WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP?

So, you’re looking to find out more about apprenticeships? Great! Did you know Plumpton College is one of the country’s leading land based apprenticeship providers?

An apprenticeship is a real job that combines hands on work with the opportunity to train and develop your skills, knowledge and behaviours in your chosen profession. 

At least 20% of your contracted hours will be spent in training and development, either with us at college, via online learning or even in your workplace. The rest of your time will be spent applying your skills and knowledge in your workplace, doing the job you have been employed to do.

The apprenticeship will be delivered via a mixture of practical and theory learning at Plumpton College campus on a fortnightly basis (during college term time only)

Qualifications Awarded:

• Level 2 Horticulture operative apprenticeship, including:

• Emergency first aid: Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work.
• Pesticides: Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides
• English and maths: Apprentices without level 2 English and maths must achieve level 1 and take the test for level 2 before taking the end-point assessment.

Training at Plumpton College will be one day per week during term time

You will achieve an intermediate apprenticeship upon successful completion of your end point assessment. You will learn:

• Concepts of good environmental and sustainable good practices, including an understanding
• Environmental controls and compliance with regulations including pollution control, waste reduction, management and recycling.
• Impact of environmental conditions on plant growth and health
• Soil science including soil formation, characteristics, texture and components, biological processes and their impact on plant growth.
• Situations where special care should be taken including where heritage or environmental designations may be present.
• Methods for identifying plants and plant biology
• Main introduction routes for plant pests and diseases
• Biosecurity and phytosanitary measures
• Techniques for clearing sites and controlling weeds including identification and reasons for removal, techniques for control (including chemical) and situations for use
• Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching
• Types of turf, installation of turf and mowing of turf