Groundsperson Apprenticeship

We seek a Groundsperson to join our Estates Team, maintaining and securing the Sports Field to the highest standards. This varied outdoor role involves year-round work in all weather, ensuring excellent upkeep, appearance, and full compliance with health and safety requirements.

What you'll do at work

• Prepare and maintain sports pitches and grounds
• Operate and look after grounds machinery and vehicles
• Set up facilities for lessons, training, fixtures, events, and lettings
• Support site security, including alarms, CCTV, and emergency response
• Ensure safe use of chemicals and maintain stock levels
• Keep records (e.g., weather, flooding) and manage lost property
• Liaise with staff, users, and external authorities
• Promote health and safety and assist with other duties as required

Where you'll work

Perivale Lane
Perivale
Greenford
UB6 8TL

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

Training course

Advanced sports turf technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Promote, monitor, and maintain health, safety, and security of self, team, and others. Implement safe working practices in accordance with statutory legislation and regulations (including carrying out risk assessments).
• Allocate work and supervise staff in accordance with agreed maintenance plans.
• Oversee the preparation of playing surfaces in accordance with relevant governing body rules/regulations.
• Monitor sports turf surfaces and oversee the control of weeds, pests, diseases, and disorders to an agreed plan. Develop a basic Integrated Pest Management plan.
• Develop a basic maintenance plan for the facility, for a determined time period (for example, preparation for key competitions or events).
• Apply a range of turfgrass growth and plant protection products (pesticides) in line with the agreed plan.
• Set run times and precipitation rates (irrigation) and drainage fall.
• Apply a range of techniques to gather agronomic and playability data by recording, interpreting, and communicating in suitable formats (for example, electronic soil moisture, salinity, pH probes, soil sampler, thermometer, surface firmness testing equipment, and playability testing).
• Evaluate sports turf surfaces and make recommendations for improvements based on findings.
• Promote environmental best practice and sustainable working practices.
• Estimate and programme resource requirements to meet the scope of the turfgrass maintenance plan.
• Oversee the preparation, general maintenance, and storage of machines for use.
• Apply basic fault-finding techniques in order to identify problems with powered machinery and equipment.
• Source information from suppliers/distributors/dealers to inform selection or tender services and/or resources.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the maintenance budgets.
• Identify, evaluate, plan, and prepare sites for renovation.
• Supervise and monitor the renovation or establishment of a sports turf facility.
• Communicate information to stakeholders utilizing formal and informal methods.
• Supervise meetings and brief colleagues.
• Assist with the training and mentoring of staff.
• Use information technology to assist with effective communication and record keeping.
• Manage own Continuing Professional Development, keeping up to date with working practices, environmental developments, and advances in technology.
• Oversee and undertake the operation, maintenance, and servicing of irrigation or drainage systems, including minor repairs and problem-solving issues.
• Promote, monitor, and maintain health, safety, and security of self, team, and others. Implement safe working practices in accordance with statutory legislation and regulations (including carrying out risk assessments).
• Allocate work and supervise staff in accordance with agreed maintenance plans.
• Oversee the preparation of playing surfaces in accordance with relevant governing body rules/regulations.
• Monitor sports turf surfaces and oversee the control of weeds, pests, diseases, and disorders to an agreed plan. Develop a basic Integrated Pest Management plan.
• Develop a basic maintenance plan for the facility, for a determined time period (for example, preparation for key competitions or events).
• Apply a range of turfgrass growth and plant protection products (pesticides) in line with the agreed plan.
• Set run times and precipitation rates (irrigation) and drainage fall.
• Apply a range of techniques to gather agronomic and playability data by recording, interpreting, and communicating in suitable formats (for example, electronic soil moisture, salinity, pH probes, soil sampler, thermometer, surface firmness testing equipment, and playability testing).
• Evaluate sports turf surfaces and make recommendations for improvements based on findings.
• Promote environmental best practice and sustainable working practices.
• Estimate and programme resource requirements to meet the scope of the turfgrass maintenance plan.
• Oversee the preparation, general maintenance, and storage of machines for use.
• Apply basic fault-finding techniques in order to identify problems with powered machinery and equipment.
• Source information from suppliers/distributors/dealers to inform selection or tender services and/or resources.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the maintenance budgets.
• Identify, evaluate, plan, and prepare sites for renovation.
• Supervise and monitor the renovation or establishment of a sports turf facility.
• Communicate information to stakeholders utilizing formal and informal methods.
• Supervise meetings and brief colleagues.
• Assist with the training and mentoring of staff.
• Use information technology to assist with effective communication and record keeping.
• Manage own Continuing Professional Development, keeping up to date with working practices, environmental developments, and advances in technology.
• Oversee and undertake the operation, maintenance, and servicing of irrigation or drainage systems, including minor repairs and problem-solving issues.