Apprentice Gardener

Maintaining the College’s lawns to the highest standards including grass-cutting, edge-trimming, seeding and fertilising Weeding of borders, window boxes, tubs and pathways Maintenance of herbaceous plants and shrubs: including soft landscaping, division, transplanting, pruning, mulching, top dressing, using winter protection, irrigation, staking, training, dead heading and cutting back Propagation from seed or cuttings Disposing of waste from garden cigarette, recycling and litter bins. Litter picking around all College grounds including leaf collection Maintaining paths and courtyard areas, including leaf-clearing, weed and algae control, and clearing and salting paths as required during snowy and icy weather Assisting the Head Gardener in project work and other relevant tasks Maintenance of work areas and equipment, including garden furniture, tidying and clearing shed areas

Other Duties:

Carrying out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Head Gardener/Estates Manager or any other senior manager

Training:

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 Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being  20 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) Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 557 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship 

If applying for this role, please ensure you can get to Abingdon & Witney College, Common Leys Campus near Witney and also our Abingdon Campus as training takes place across both sites.

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

End Point Assessment: 

Knowledge test  Practical assessment  Professional discussion 

Training Outcome:

Possibility of full-time contract after completion of the apprenticeship.

Employer Description:

Lincoln is one of the university’s oldest colleges, founded in 1427. Although on a small city-centre site, its gardens have always been a major feature of Lincoln’s life and ethos. Its formal fine lawns in the two medieval quadrangles, and the ancient Boston ivy in Front Quad, are nationally famous. Spring and summer window box schemes are enjoyed by staff, students, and visitors, and have been recently diversified by creative use of tropical plants in grouped pots. There is also an important lawn for student use and a fine east-facing herbaceous border in the Grove, as well as an ancient plane tree. The College has a showpiece herbaceous border in the Rector’s Garden and a more contemporary scheme for the Fellows’ Garden. Mature trees, shrubs, and naturalised wild bulbs and perennials provide contrast in the former churchyard of All Saints, now the college library. Offsite are a diverse range of smaller, lower-maintenance gardens, ranging from terrace houses to a student accommodation sites.  

Working Hours :
Monday - Friday (8am to 4pm)

Skills:
Customer care skills,Team working,Non judgemental,Patience,Physical fitness