KEITS have a variety of horticulture-based apprenticeships, but which one is right for you?
Horticulture and Landscape Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
A Horticultural Operative may be required to carry out a range of tasks including planting, plant propagation and maintenance, in a variety of situations such as parks, gardens and urban landscapes. A Landscape Operative will be engaged in the construction of gardens and landscapes. This involves the construction of planted areas including lawns and ornamental plants and features such as paths, patios, ponds, walls and fences.
Working in the outdoor environment is a healthy and therapeutic activity, which contributes to the well-being of employees and users of gardens.
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Landscape or Horticulture Supervisor Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
A landscape or horticulture supervisor can may be employed to oversee work in public parks and gardens, green spaces and historic gardens, private gardens and estates or in production nurseries and retail outlets. Many businesses will be specialised in their activities, such as grounds maintenance (soft-landscape) or landscape construction (hard-landscape). Soft landscaping includes the establishment and maintenance of plants and cultivated areas. Hard landscaping includes establishment of hard surfaces and structures in addition to the establishment of plants in cultivated areas.
The distinct nature of these two specialisms means very few businesses can offer the full breadth of skills required and therefore two options are available within this standard. The employment area will dictate the most appropriate option. The horticulture option includes specialisms in plant propagation and plant growth. The landscape construction opt includes specialisms in the installation of features and structures, application of landscape materials as, well as site management.
A landscape or horticulture supervisor can manage a site with minimum supervision, supervise a team and maintain the health and safety and security of personnel and resources.
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Golf Greenkeeper Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
A Golf Greenkeeper is responsible for the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course in line with employer’s requirements. It is their job to maintain a good quality playing surface and ensure the course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience for golfers.
There are four key turfgrass areas on a golf course – greens, tees, fairways and areas of rough, each of which requires a different type of maintenance. Using a range of equipment and machinery safely and competently will play a major part within an apprentice’s training programme. Golf Greenkeepers will also be involved in environmental and ecological operations which may include bunker maintenance, planting turf, trees, shrubs and developing wildlife habitats. The skills required to become a competent greenkeeper will be acquired whilst working on the golf course.
The career as a Golf Greenkeeper can take you wherever the game of golf is played. Working outdoors in a healthy environment and as new countries are embracing the sport and more golf courses are being built, there is no better time to consider joining this great profession.
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Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
The Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Standard encompasses various job titles and technical specialisms. The apprenticeship is designed to provide the greenkeeper with the skills and knowledge to operate at an advanced level where supervisory and/or specialist technical and agronomic skills are required.
Upon completion the advanced greenkeeper will have the necessary skills to supervise the greenkeeping team and the maintenance of the golf course, in the absence of the Head Greenkeeper/Golf Course Manager, and will assist in the planning, supervising and implementing the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course in line with the employer’s requirements.
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Sport Turf Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
A Sports Turf Operative or Grounds person is responsible for the maintenance, renovation and preparation of one or more sports turf surfaces, in accordance with the needs of the particular sport. It is their job to maintain a playing surface to the performance quality standards appropriate to the sport being played.
Working in the outdoor environment is a healthy and therapeutic activity, which contributes to the well-being of employees as well as users of sports surfaces.
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