Apprentice Grounds Assistant

Summary

To undertake all duties associated with maintaining and renovating sports surfaces in a professional football environment, ensuring that the facilities are in premium condition and fit for purpose, while also adhering to all environmental and health and safety laws and regulations.

Wage

£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Sports turf operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Sunday, shift hours to be confirmed.

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

The post holder will be required to:

Work as a member of the Grounds team to ensure playing surfaces are consistently well maintained and fit for purpose
Identify and ensure the correct application of materials, tools, equipment and machinery used in maintenance and renovation activities, under the supervision of the Head Groundsman
Identify and understand different grasses, soil types, weeds, pests, diseases, turf disorders, artificial surfacing material, underlays, infill material, turf and soil reinforcement material, and line marking materials
Understand the principles of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration in the growth and development of plants, and apply this knowledge accordingly
Contribute to monitoring the impact of weather, ground conditions and usage on pitch quality and playing quality, and work with the Grounds team to take appropriate action as necessary
Contribute to minimising waste and reducing environmental impacts
Monitor, record and report basic grounds maintenance findings
Apply knowledge and skills with a logical and systematic approach, also demonstrating a positive work ethic in achieving the desired outcomes from the playing surfaces being maintained
Contribute to maintaining and renovating turf surfaces in a safe and appropriate manner to ensure training and matches can take place in a fair and safe manner
Use a range of equipment and machinery as required, including but not limited to, mowers, scarifiers, aerators and other specialist turf equipment, covering hand tools, as well as pedestrian operated, ride-on and tractor mounted implements
Correctly calibrate equipment for material requirements and apply at the correct rates a range of materials, including grass seed, fertiliser and bulky top-dressing
Use integrated prevention and control methods to reduce the incidence of diseases, disorders, pests and weeds on turf
Set and mark out playing areas in accordance with the Laws of the Governing Bodies of Sport
Maintain tools, equipment and machinery used for maintenance and renovation activities, to ensure their safe and effective use
Maintain and conduct basic routine servicing and repairs to drainage and irrigation systems
Effectively communicate with others and provide an excellent level of customer service
Work safely, efficiently and effectively at all times, whether under supervision, as an individual, or in a team
The post holder will also be required to undertake any other duties as required by the Head Groundsman and/or any other Senior Manager/Director

Where you'll work

Huddersfield Town AFC Canalside Sports Complex
509 Leeds Road
Huddersfield
HD2 1YJ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Your training course

Sports turf operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Apply the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).
Set and mark out the sports turf surface in accordance with the relevant governing body rules (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles).
Prepare machinery and equipment to ensure their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks.
Maintain levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems.
Inspect the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content).
Prepare the ground and established grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing).
Carry out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements.
Carry out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage).
Prepare and safely operate a tractor and it's attachments.
Select and use relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers).
Adopts a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues.
Identify a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).
Carry out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration).
Dispose of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.
Apply the correct rates and range of materials to sports turf surfaces (e.g. grass seed, granular fertilisers, bulky top-dressing, turf and root zone).
Set and mark out the sports turf surface in accordance with the relevant governing body rules (including line marking, the 3-4-5 squaring technique, and marking arcs and semi-circles).
Prepare machinery and equipment to ensure their safe and effective use when carrying out sport turf tasks.
Maintain levels of soil moisture using either irrigation or drainage systems.
Inspect the condition of sports turf, make observations and communicate findings (e.g. PQS, weeds, pests, diseases, thatch content).
Prepare the ground and established grass areas as part of sports turf renovation tasks (e.g. overseeding, turfing).
Carry out cylinder mowing of sports turf surface(s) in accordance with set requirements.
Carry out repair of sports turf surfaces using relevant equipment and machinery (e.g. divot repair, foot hole repair, animal damage).
Prepare and safely operate a tractor and it's attachments.
Select and use relevant communication styles (e.g. verbal, written, digital) to convey information to different audiences (e.g. clients, staff, suppliers).
Adopts a systematic approach to troubleshooting and solving day-to-day resource or equipment issues.
Identify a range of turf grasses (vegetative and seed). (Including, perennial ryegrass smooth stalk meadow grass, annual meadow grass, fescue grass (fine), bent grass).
Carry out maintenance of sports turf surface using relevant equipment and machinery (including scarification, and aeration).
Dispose of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.

Your training plan

Level 2 Sports Turf Operative Apprenticeship Standard:

During the course of your apprenticeship, you will be given time to undertake college work where you will develop your underpinning knowledge
Your learning will be enhanced by on-the-job training in the workplace, supported by regular visits from your Tutor/Assessor.
We’ll ensure you’re fully supported working under the guidance of experienced ground staff to gain full knowledge and understanding of grounds maintenance as well as being closely managed and mentored by Facilities and Operational Management

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade A*-C/9-4)
Maths (grade A*-C/9-4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Patience
Physical fitness
Reliable and punctual
Hard working

Other requirements

Behaviour/conduct: Be proactive with workload and interventions. Be able to work early starts, outdoors in all weather. Seek to continually develop their skills and knowledge. Adopt an organised and structured approach to fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of the role. Communicate appropriately at all levels. Be flexible to fit the development and growth of the organisation. Be flexible in hours of work. Be trustworthy and adhere to the Club’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. Adhere to protocol and respect confidentiality in all matters, also protecting any data relating to the area of work in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018. Consistently demonstrate high standards of behaviour and appearance and encourage the same from others. Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Respect others and behave in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner, taking account of all protected characteristics, as specified in the Equality Act 2010.

About this company

Huddersfield Town Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Founded on 15 August 1908, it entered the Football League in 1910. The team currently compete in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Huddersfield Town aims to consistently be one of the top 30 clubs in English football in a competitive and sustainable way. We aim to unite fans, players and staff and redefine what teamwork is all about, making the culture around our football club the standard that all other clubs aspire to attain. We will do the right thing by our supporters and our community, even when nobody else is there to see it. We’ll always be positive and enthusiastic, and we’ll never be scared to try and fail. We have a relentless desire to learn and win.

https://www.htafc.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Future employment and potential next level apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Andrea Kearns

andrea.kearns@oldham.ac.uk

01617854072

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000321773.

Apply now

Closes in 22 days (Friday 13 June 2025 at 11:59pm)

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