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Apprentice Streetscene Operative( Horticulture) Eastleigh Borough Council

Does working outdoors, looking after our beautiful parks, playing fields and open spaces appeal to you? We have a fantastic opportunity for two highly motivated individuals with a desire to start a career in Horticulture, to join our team for a 2 year apprenticeship

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Closing date: 19 Aug 2022

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £10,250.00

  • Working week

    Total Weekly Hours – 37 hours Working Days & Hours - This will include day release at Sparsholt College Monday – Thursday: 07.00-15.00, Friday 07:00 – 14:30

    Total hours per week: 37

  • Expected duration

    27 Months

  • Possible start date

    12 Sep 2022

  • Date posted

    22 Jul 2022

  • Apprenticeship level

    Intermediate
    Level 2 (GCSE)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000068580

  • Positions

    2 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

Does working outdoors, looking after our beautiful parks, playing fields and open spaces appeal to you?

 

We have a fantastic opportunity for two highly motivated individuals with a desire to start a career in Horticulture to join our team for a 2-year apprenticeship.

 

 

To be successful in this 2-year apprenticeship you will need to be committed to achieving your apprenticeship qualification and take ownership for your own learning and development. You should be customer focussed and understand the importance of your role in making Eastleigh a great place to live.

You will carry out a variety of tasks which will support your qualification with experienced members of our teams including:

  • grass cutting
  • planting
  • sports field maintenance
  • pruning

You will also have the fantastic opportunity to assist in the day-to-day duties at our tree nursery. You will start your day at either our Dutton Lane Depot in Eastleigh or The Tree Nursery in Fair Oak and will also work remotely across the borough.  A full, clean driving license would be an advantage but not essential for the apprenticeship role.

With on-the-job training and one day a week at College you will be fully supported in your apprenticeship and we will help you develop a wide range of Horticultural skills and knowledge, as well as general work place skills such as team working and customer service.  There will also be opportunities to gain power tool certification.   

You will be able to demonstrate a desire for working outdoors (in all weather) in a physical role and be keen to develop your horticultural knowledge and skills.  

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2
Emergency First Aid
PA1 - Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides


Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths much 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:

On-line knowledge assessment - a 60-minute online test containing 40 multiple choice questions
Practical assessment EPA - a range of 3 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 two tasks from the 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
You will be required to attend Sparsholt College on a day release basis to learn about horticulture, to include:
Health & 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 & maintenance
Plant grown
Plant health
Establish & maintain amenity areas
Survey and mark out sites for landscaping features
Construct hard landscape features
Maintain hard landscape features

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

If a vacancy is available at the end of the apprentice’s fixed term contract, they will be able to apply for this.

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Attention to detail, Organisation skills, Customer care skills, Number skills, Team working, Initiative, Physical fitness, Interest in horticulture, An Interest in Manual Working, An eye for detail, Health & Safety Aware

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade C (4) or above) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade C (4) or above) Essential
Other Driving License (Grade Full) Desired

Things to consider

This is a physically demanding role where you will be required to work outside in all weathers. You will be a self-starter and keen to learn. As a front line service, you may come into contact with members of the public whilst you are working therefore customer care must be very important to you. You will be working as part of a team and therefore you must have very good communication skills and a positive attitude towards work.

About the employer

Local Government Authority

Employer

Eastleigh Borough Council

Address

Dutton Lane Depot

Fair Oak

SO50 6YE

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Training

Training provider

SPARSHOLT COLLEGE

Contact

Karen Jackson

karen.jackson@sparsholtservices.ac.uk

01962 797452

Apprenticeship standard

Horticulture or landscape operative

Level 2 (GCSE)

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