Crop Technician Level 3 Apprentice

Maintaining and developing the Communigrow gardens and grounds to the highest possible standards of horticultural practice and improving the surrounding environment.

Duties to include : 

Plant Care and production: Propagation, sewing, planting, disease control, weeding and watering  Land Care:  Mowing, strimming, weeding, pruning, hedge cutting and leaf collection across the site General Maintenance: Support for the care and repair of all structures and tools (where appropriate) Other Duties: To support the charities work with adults, SEN children and families.                     

The candidate will be expected to use hand and power tools. They will use composts (mostly  homemade)  and other products used in gardening.

Training:

You will be undertaking the Horticulture or Landscape Crop Production Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard qualification and receive training to prepare you for the End Point Assessment, this will involve day release to Hadlow College.

Additional training will be available and the applicant will be expected to undertake mandatory training as instructed.

For the horticulture or landscape construction operative, the qualification required is:

●        Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (Ofqual registered) minimum 1-day course

●        Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides OR City and Guilds Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides

●  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

Training Outcome:

On successful completion the applicant could move onto an assistant gardener and in time a deputy head / head gardener position at any number of gardens , they could look to start their own landscape gardening company

Employer Description:
We are a food education charity that supports people of all ages and backgrounds to grow their own food naturally and in harmony with the natural world. Communigrow is situated on a 2.5-acre site on the East Malling Research Station. This is the home of NIAB a renowned Agricultural and Horticultural Research Institute. We provide therapeutic ‘Green Therapy’ for people who may want to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Communigrow is the home of ‘The Field School’ where children, young people and families can learn together to grow their own food and gain other skills in horticulture related activities. The apprentice will have the chance to experience all aspects of the charities work and our partnership with NIAB will also provide unique additional learning opportunities in a cutting edge food and wine production environment Communigrow started as a group of likeminded gardening enthusiasts wanting to share their skills and grow fresh food (naturally) together. In 2014 Communigrow became a registered charity. We now have over 1000 visitors each year who take part in a wide range of activities that we provide. We are an off-grid organisation with a very low impact on the natural world. Our power is from solar (providing power for our office and for our gardening strimmers/mowers and tools). In addition to our no-dig raised beds we also have natural / wildlife areas including a pond and many bug houses. We have state of the art composting equipment and are working towards becoming even more self-sufficient. We offer a great working environment with a committed team who enjoy their work, it’s never dull and we try to make it a fun place to work.

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday 08.00am to 3.00pm (½ lunch break) There may be a need to work occasional Saturday mornings, time off in lieu will be given.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Problem solving skills,Presentation skills,Team working,Creative,Initiative,Patience,Physical fitness