Horticulture Apprentice Crop Technician

Reporting to the Technical manager and supported day to day by site supervisors and the wider team Quarterly placements within each team The first year focussed on developing the practical skills required within each team Propagation - Taking and sticking cuttings, trimming stock plants to produce cutting material to schedule, sowing seed Potting - Preparing plugs for potting, working on potting line, laying plants down in growing areas Growing - Monitoring crops in set area, irrigation, pest and disease checks, monitoring the environment, ensuring cultural activities carried out to agreed standard including trimming, weeding, feeding, spacing, spraying (qualification part of apprenticeship programme) Despatch - Selecting plants that fulfil specification, working on line to prepare plant to optimum condition and insert carecard, loading trolleys The second year’s rotation designed to challenge, to build on the first year knowledge and achieve greater depth Where practical this may include some tasks with additional responsibility and /or leading small teams

Training:

Level 2 Awards in:

Safe Use of Pesticides

On completion of the pesticides foundation unit above also choose one of the following units:

Boom sprayer, mounted, trailed or self-propelled equipment Granular applicator equipment Handheld applicator equipment Level 3 award in Emergency First Aid at Work Candidates Aged 16-18 must have GCSE English and maths at Grade 4/C or above (if taking GCSEs this year, predicted grades must be at Pass level for maths and English) For candidates Aged 19+ (without GCSE English and maths), WCG will assess on an individual basis

Training Outcome:
Production Team Leader or Supervisor in Production, Despatch or Propagation, or a member of the Growing Team

Employer Description:

Binsted Nurseries Limited, part of the Farplants Group are a market
leading customer focussed organisation producing and supplying high quality potted herbs, bulbs and ornamental garden plants to the wholesale market. Binsted Nursery was founded in 1978 We are based
in West Sussex with 2 production sites.

Working Hours :
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.45pm and Friday, 8.00am-3.45pm. Overtime as needed during the week and some weekends during peak despatch times in the spring. Weekend Watering Duties on a rota basis.

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