Groundsperson
What is the work like?
As a groundsperson you would look after sports grounds, such as football, cricket and rugby pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts and golf courses.
Your main responsibility would be to manage the soil and grass to make sure the turf is always in top condition. Your duties would typically include:
- preparing land for turf laying
- applying fertilisers and chemicals
- rolling and mowing the turf
- controlling weeds
- marking lines on surfaces
- installing and maintaining equipment like nets, posts and protective covers
- looking after surrounding areas – decorative displays, concrete or tarmac
- operating equipment like rotavators, sprinklers and shredders
- painting, removing rubbish and carrying out general duties.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
If you have experience in gardening or horticulture, you could find work as an unskilled groundsperson without relevant qualifications. You may then be able to progress to skilled level by gaining experience and working towards qualifications such as NVQs at Level 1 in Horticulture and Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture.
Alternatively, you could start by doing a course that would help you develop the skills needed for the job. Relevant courses include:
- BTEC First Diploma in Horticulture
- NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture
- NVQ Level 2 in Amenity Horticulture
- NPTC National Certificate/Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Horticulture (Sports Turf and Groundmanship).
Entry requirements for courses vary, so you should check directly with colleges.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk (link opens in new window).
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working as a groundsperson, you will usually receive on-the-job training from your employer. You may also have the chance to increase your skills and develop your career by attending college on a day-release basis to gain relevant qualifications such as:
- NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture
- NVQ levels 2, 3 and 4 in Amenity Horticulture (Sports Turf Management)
- BTEC and NPTC qualifications in Horticulture.
You could also complete the following Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) courses:
- IOG National Practical Certificate (for unskilled ground staff)
- IOG/NPTC National Certificate in Sports and Amenity Turf Maintenance.
The National Certificate is made up of six compulsory units plus optional units covering:
- cricket grounds
- bowling greens
- tennis courts
- football pitches
- rugby pitches
- golf facilities
- horseracing courses.
You may find it helpful (although not essential) to have completed the National Proficiency Certificate before moving on to the National Certificate.
If you have a least five years' practical management experience you can gain international recognition of your skills through the IOG/C & G Senior Award in Sports Turf Management. This is on two levels, licentiateship and graduateship.
Visit the IOG website for details of all their courses and qualifications.
You could also develop your career by doing higher level qualifications like BTEC HNCs/HNDs, foundation degrees and degrees in subjects such as Sports Turf Management.
For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward. To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
You can join the IOG on six levels, depending on the level of your highest qualification. Membership will demonstrate your competence to employers, give you access to continuing professional development opportunities, and help you progress in your career. See the IOG website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
28 Stratford Office VillageWolverton Mill East
Milton Keynes
MK12 5TW
Tel: 01908 312511
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Salary scales recommended for 2008 by the Institute of Groundmanship are:
- Unskilled groundsperson £14,190 to £17,340 a year.
- Skilled groundsperson £17,715 to 21,640.
- Head groundsperson £23,155 to 28,335.
In addition, there may be bonuses and payment for overtime, and accommodation is sometimes provided.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work around 37 hours a week, and may sometimes need to work at weekends and during the evenings.
You would spend most of your time outside, and your work would be quite physical. In some jobs you would need to travel around a large site or to several different sites.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the strength and fitness to use heavy equipment
- practical skills
- knowledge of soils and drainage methods
- the ability to interpret plans and drawings
- the ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work with any of the following:
- private leisure providers
- local authorities
- sports clubs
- schools and other educational establishments
- grounds maintenance contractors
- the armed services
- large corporations with company leisure facilities.
With experience, you may be able to progress to supervisor or team leader, then to head of section or into management. Promotion may depend on gaining further qualifications.
You could also become self-employed as a contractor or consultant.
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