Apprentice Gardener

Apprentice Gardener Apprentice age related salary Full time – 37 hours a week Fixed Term Contract – 24 months Rugby Borough Council is dedicated to both Community and Colleague growth. With a focus on wellbeing and personal development, we offer a range of career opportunities where you can take pride in the positive changes you help create. Join an organisation committed to the success of one of the Country’s fastest-growing boroughs and the people who make it thrive. About the role This apprenticeship is a fixed term contract with a 24 month duration. As an Apprentice Gardener, you’ll assist in developing and maintaining the ornamental horticultural areas within the award-winning parks, green spaces and public areas around the Borough of Rugby. You’ll assist and learn about planting, watering, and maintaining a variety of plants and borders, learn about correct pruning techniques and the correct tools, equipment and machinery required for the job and the importance of maintenance / regular checks of these items to ensure they remain in good working order. You’ll learn about plant growth and development including plant nutrition and plant requirements, how to care for plants correctly in different environments and the relationship between environmental conditions and plant growth. You will be doing a Horticulture/Landscape Operative: Level 2 Apprenticeship with the academic parts delivered at Pershore College in Worcestershire, including stay-overs. You will need the ability to get to the college periodically. The course starts in mid-October. Other responsibilities include. • Assist experienced gardeners in planting, watering, and maintaining a variety of plants and borders. • Learn about correct pruning techniques and the correct tools, equipment and machinery required for the job. • Carry out the irrigation of hanging baskets, containers, and nursery stock. • Work according to The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 including relevant health and safety processes and procedures in the specific grounds maintenance industry. • Participate in landscape design projects and contribute creative ideas. About you You will need a genuine and demonstratable interest in horticulture and garden maintenance and parks and grounds. This could be evidenced through hobbies, volunteering, work, education or other activities. Alongside this you’ll need to be someone who enjoys working in a team, able to understand and accept instructions, be able to communicate well in a public facing role and be a competent, dependable, and motivated individual with a keen eye for detail. You’ll need to meet the entry criteria for the apprenticeship – Level 3 / C in Maths and English GCSE. A Full Driving License is essential. Benefits • 35 days annual leave (including 8 Bank Holidays and 3 extra days normally applied at Christmas) • Generous Local Government Pension Scheme • Annual leave purchase scheme • Subsidised parking • Structured Induction Program • Learning and Development opportunities including Future Leaders programmes • Payment of a professional subscription for approved professionals • Family Friendly Policies • Independent Support for your health & wellbeing • Generous compassionate leave • Extra Benefits including Retail Discounts, Cycle to Work scheme and more