Horticulture Apprentice with Lower Marsh Farm

What will the apprentice be doing?

Some of the duties required in this role will include the following: ·       Mowing, strimming, hedge trimming, ·       Chainsaw work on mainly windfall trees, maintenance of woodland and Salt Marsh which requires willow / hazel to be coppiced. The wood is normally to be recovered back to the farm buildings and split for use in log burners (using a PTO log splitter, chainsaw or axe as applicable), ·       Care of small volume of poultry (less than 20 animals normally comprising chickens, ducks, peacocks) and livestock (cattle) used to conservation graze the Salt Marsh. ·       Care of amenities in the grounds which include a tennis court, small children play areas and hot tubs in the holiday let gardens (mainly emptying, refilling and water testing / application of chemicals), pressure washing patio areas, handyman type jobs (internal and external), ·       Weeding, pruning, harvesting, moving plants, some landscaping, planting seeds, propagation, greenhouse plant care ·       General maintenance e.g. fencing repairs, sea wall repairs, gutter checks / clearance, exterior upper floor window washing with pressure washer, etc ·       Work with local contractors as required for hedge cutting, ditch maintenance etc, ·       Ad hoc assistance with improvement projects with other team members. Some amount of maintenance and repair to site equipment will be part of the annual work plan and will include stock fencing, tracks, fruit and veg garden equipment, children play structures, tennis court, sea wall as well as care of the amenities provided to the holiday let properties.

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

• You will be working towards a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship Standard. This will include Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work and Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides.
• You will receive on and off the job training and support from an assessor and an Apprenticeship Advisor.
• You will be required to attend Bicton College on a block release basis as part of the apprenticeship training.

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

The employer would like to train to keep the right person and this will be reviewed at the end of the apprenticeship.