Groundsperson apprentice

Summary

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.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Advanced sports turf technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday- Friday, plus alternate Saturdays in term time. Rotas cover operating hours, pitch preparation, fixtures, and events. Additional hours may be required, like cricket season and key events. 35 days’ holiday, taken during school holidays.

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 22 July 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

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

Training

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

• 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 utilising 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 utilising 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.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4/C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Physical fitness
• Sports grounds experience
• Safeguarding awareness
• Adaptable
• Willing to learn

Other requirements

• Involves working mainly outdoors in all weathers
• A valid full driving licence