Apprentice Grounds Operative Didcot Town Council
Operating within the outdoor team and helping to provide an exceptional groundscare service to all Council-owned land and facilities, carrying out the duties relating to the maintenance operation of Didcot’s parks; recreation grounds; Millennium Woods; Ladygrove Lakes; outdoor areas; play areas; sports and other Town Council outdoor activities.
Closing date: 15 Jan 2024
Apprenticeship summary
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Annual wage
£20,258.00
Great package of benefits including Local Government Pension Scheme subject to permanent employment and 27 days holiday per year.
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Working week
08.00 - 16.00 Monday - Thursday, 08.00 - 15.30 - Friday
Total hours per week: 37
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Expected duration
18 Months
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Possible start date
29 Jan 2024
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Date posted
13 Sep 2023
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Apprenticeship level
Intermediate
Level 2 (GCSE) -
Reference number
VAC1000198189
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Positions
1 available
What will the apprentice be doing?
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Learn how to operate and maintain a wide range of grounds maintenance tools and machinery. This may include Brush cutters, ride-on mowers, push mowers, chainsaws, blowers and hand tools
- Learn how to identify and carry out play equipment repairs, replacing swings and fixing replacement parts. Making safe damage and taping off equipment out of use. Repainting where necessary and general maintenance
- Perform a full range of Grounds care tasks; such as mowing (pedestrian and ride-on), litter picking, strimming and a range of more specialist work
- Perform a range of horticultural tasks as required, including but not limited to weeding, feeding, planting, pruning sowing and hedge cutting
- Learn how to maintain the Didcot cemetery
- Carry out ad-hoc repairs to various buildings including painting
- Landscaping and clearance work to site as and when required
- Posting and removal of notices
- General housekeeping of the yard and storage block at Edmonds Park
- Learn how to maintain the workshop and tools in good order
- Get trained to carry out sports pitch marking
- Opening buildings for others, assisting in erecting Christmas decorations inside and out, watering of beds and trees, assistance at Ladygrove Lakes for environmental issues
- Litter picking and general cleaning of equipment
- Any other duties commensurate with the post that may be required by the Outdoor Services Manager; Supervisors or the Town Clerk
- Driver’s licence preferred
- Timekeeping, willingness to learn and adapt and positive attitude essential
This job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to review as the Council may direct.
What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?
Duration:
- 15-months practical training period, plus 3-months for End Point Assessment
Delivery model:
- Work-based training with your employer
- Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
- 14-days college attendance to complete Horticulture Principles and Practice course
- 1-day college attendance to complete Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid course
- 2-days college attendance to complete Level 2 PA1 Pesticides course (theory)
- 2-days college attendance to complete L2 PA6 Pesticides course (practical)
- Level 1 Functional Skills in maths and English (7-days at college for each, if required)
- Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work
Qualifications included:
- Level 1 Functional Skills in English and maths
- Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid
- Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides
- Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides Using Pedestrian Handheld Equipment
- Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship
What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?
Didcot is a growing Garden Town with further devolved assets and facilities to come. The Outdoor Team will need to expand to meet these commitments so the opportunity for a permanent position is excellent.
Requirements and prospects
Desired skills and personal qualities
Qualifications
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade A*-C 9/4) Desired
Things to consider
About the employer
Employer
Didcot Town Council
Address
EDMONDS PARK,
PARK ROAD
DIDCOT
OX11 8QE
Training
Training provider
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Contact
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235216216
Apprenticeship standard
Horticulture or landscape construction operative
Level 2 (GCSE)
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