Modern Apprenticeship in Equine SCQF Level 5
Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture SCQF Level 5
Modern Apprenticeship in Game and Wildlife Management SCQF Level 5
General Fence Installer
Content
The fencing industry incorporates several main areas of work:
- Boundary fencing – domestic and agricultural (post and rail, post and panel, strained wire)
- Vehicle restraint - roads and motorways
- Sound proof barriers
- Parapets and bridges
- Security fencing, prisons, airports
- Electric fencing and gates.
There are around 3,150 fencing businesses throughout the UK employing 27,000 people in urban and rural areas.
Fence Installers use concrete, timber, wire, plastic and metal to install and repair fences in a wide variety of situations, from fencing off gardens on a new housing estate to putting up a high-security and acoustic sound deadening fence around an airport.
They work outdoors as part of a fencing team, usually under the direction of the Lead Installer or Foreman.
Some Fence Installers specialise in strained wire fences, electrical fencing, high security fencing, or the installation of automatic security gates and barriers.
Working Conditions
Fencing businesses can operate seven days a week, so employees usually work flexible hours based around the jobs that need completing. In larger businesses, they often work on a rota system with other staff across early mornings, evenings and weekends.
There may be opportunities for full-time and temporary work.
Fence Installers spend most of their time working outside. They may also need to collect materials or equipment and make deliveries, so usually need a full driving licence.
They are employed by large construction groups working on major building projects, by landscaping or fencing companies, and by motorway, road or rail network companies.
Many fencing contractors cover a wide area so often need to travel or work away from home.
Anyone working on a construction site, including Fence Installers, needs to have the FISS (Fencing Industry Skills Scheme) CSCS (Construction Skills Card Scheme) card.
Content
Salary
Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.
Starting salary:
£20,000
Ending Salary:
£30,000
Content
Getting started
Experience of working in the fencing or related industry is an advantage, but training is usually given. Often entry is through an apprenticeship where skills and knowledge are gained on the job.
Fencing Contractors usually advertise in local press or in trade publications or online, so this could be a good place to start your job search.
What experienced workers can do
- Maintain health and safety in the work environment
- Use and maintain tools and equipment
- Operate plant and machinery
- Prepare sites for work
- Excavate and form foundations for fencing
- Communicate with customers.
Personal qualities you should have
- Good communication skills
- Able to use initiative
- Able to work on own or in a team
- Flexible and adaptable.
Content
Next steps
There may be opportunities to move to a Lead Installer or Foreman position, depending on individual performance, skills and knowledge and size of the business.
Industry links
Association of Fencing Industries
National Farmers Union Scotland
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service
Fencing Lead Installer
Content
The fencing industry covers:
- Boundary fencing – domestic and agricultural (post and rail, post and panel, strained wire)
- Vehicle restraint - roads and motorways
- Sound proof barriers
- Parapets and bridges
- Security fencing, prisons, airports
- Electric fencing and gates.
There are around 3,150 fencing businesses throughout the UK, employing 27,000 people in urban and rural areas.
Lead Installers are employed by large construction groups working on major building projects, by landscaping or fencing companies, and by motorway, road or rail network companies.
Lead Installers are responsible for:
- Managing people within the team
- Making sure work carried out meets the standards of the client
- Encouraging and motivating team members to complete task on time
- Liaising with onsite deliveries and logistics
- Managing personal and team health and safety on site.
Working Conditions
Fencing businesses can operate seven days a week, so employees often work flexible hours based around the jobs that need doing. In larger businesses, employees might well work on a rota system, including early mornings, evenings and weekends.
Lead Installers supervise a team of fence installers and labourers on site, usually working under the direction of the Assistant Site Manager or Site Manager, focusing on fence planning and installation.
They need to be comfortable working outside as well as in an office, as most of their time is spent outdoors in all weathers.
Many fencing contractors cover a wide area, travel or work away from home.
Those working on construction sites, including Lead Installers, need to have the FISS (Fencing Industry Skills Scheme) CSCS (Construction Skills Card Scheme) gold card.
A full driving licence is normally needed as well.
Content
Salary
Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.
Starting salary:
£30,000
Ending Salary:
£40,000
Content
Getting started
What experienced workers can do
- Manage and lead a team
- Plan and manage work to plans
- Able to do calculations
- Operate plant and machinery
- Excavate and form foundations for fencing
- Communicate with customers.
Personal qualities you should have
- Able to meet the physical demands of the job
- Good practical skills
- Flexible and adaptable
- Good communications skills
- Able to work on own or in a team.
Content
Next steps
Promotion to Lead Installer is quite common for General Fence Installers, once they have supervisory skills, experience, skills, knowledge and the right skills cards.
Lead Installers can go on to become Contracts Supervisors or Managers within larger businesses.
Industry links
Association of Fencing Industries
National Farmers Union Scotland
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service
Fencing Basic Operative Labourer
Content
Basic Operatives work outdoors as part of a fencing team, carrying out manual tasks and helping to support qualified fence installers.
The fencing industry incorporates several main areas of work:
- Boundary fencing covering post and rail, livestock, post and panel
- Vehicle restraint covering urban and motorways
- Sound proof barriers
- Parapets and bridges
- Security fencing, prisons and wild animals
- Electric fencing and gates.
There are around 3,150 fencing businesses throughout the UK employing 27,000 people.
Job opportunities can be in urban and rural areas.
Working Conditions
Fencing businesses can operate seven days a week, so employees often work flexible hours based around the jobs that need completing. In larger businesses, they are likely to work on a rota system with other members of staff. This will include early mornings, evenings and weekends.
There may be opportunities for both full-time and temporary work.
Basic Operatives need to be comfortable working outside, as that’s where they spend most of their time. They may also need to collect materials or equipment and make deliveries, so usually need a full driving licence.
Basic Operatives are often employed by large construction groups working on major building projects. These can be motorway, road or rail network companies, landscaping or fencing companies in agriculture
Many fencing contractors work over a wide area so need to travel away from home.
Anyone working on a construction site, including Basic Operatives, will need to hold the FISS (Fencing Industry Skills Scheme) CSCS (Construction Skills Card Scheme) card.
Content
Salary
Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.
Starting salary:
£15,000
Ending Salary:
£20,000
Content
Getting started
What experienced workers can do
- Maintain health and safety
- Be able to use tools and equipment
- Be able to place and fix fencing parts
- Receive and handle fencing materials on site
- Be able to maintain working relationships.
Personal qualities you should have
- Good communication skills
- Able to use initiative
- Able to work on own or in a team.
Content
Next steps
From a Basic Operative you may be able to progress with further training to a Fencing Installer with a large contracting businesses. You will need additional FISS CSCS cards.
Industry links
Association of Fencing Industries
National Farmers Union Scotland
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service
Grounds Manager or Head Groundsman
Content
A Grounds Manager is a skilled professional who produces and maintains sports grounds to a high standard. These can include sports grounds in schools, universities, local authorities and private grounds like premier league sports clubs and national venues.
Your role will include all aspects of turf management and overseeing teams in the operation of hand-held and ride-on machinery, pesticide and fertiliser application, marking out of sports surfaces and a range of other specialist maintenance procedures that will vary according to the type of grounds you manage.
You will also be responsible for managing budgets, personnel and purchasing of machinery and products as well as advising on and implementing annual maintenance programmes and renovations.
You may well be responsible hiring and supervising specialist contractors
Working Conditions
Ground staff usually work 37 to 40 hours a week. However, actual working hours depend on the time of year, where they work and any special events the sports pitch or court will be used for.
The hours can be unsociable and involve evenings and weekends, especially when working for professional sports clubs, which may play matches under floodlights.
Ground staff spend much of their time working outside and the work will involve walking, lifting and bending. In some jobs, a Head Groundsman may need to travel around one large site, or to divide their time between several sites. A driving licence is usually required for this role.
Content
Salary
Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.
Starting salary:
£15,000
Ending Salary:
£23,000
Content
Getting started
You should have an interest in sports turf and hands-on work such as gardening or general horticultural.
Ground staff working in a particular sport normally have a good knowledge of the game.
An appropriate Modern Apprenticeship can provide a great start.
What experienced workers can do
- Managing budgets, finance and resources
- Manage the recruitment, selection and training of staff
- Manage projects and event
- Manage the ground staff team
- Maintain good communication with facility management, colleagues, players and at times the public.
Personal qualities you should have
- Flexible
- Like the outdoors
- Happy to work on your own or with others
- Good communication skills.
Content
Next steps
Promotion often depends on the size of the employer and the achievement of higher-level qualifications.
The IOG offers a range of courses for people who want to continue their professional development or specialise in particular areas of work.
Some ground staff move into leisure management or estate management. Others set up their own grounds maintenance companies or work as consultants. Those with the right academic qualifications may have the opportunity to carry out research work.
There may also be opportunities to work overseas.
Useful links
British Association of Landscape Industries
British International Golf Greenkeepers Association
Greenkeepers Training Committee
Greenkeeper or Groundsman
Content
Including volunteers, the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) has estimated that there are more than 100,000 ground staff in the UK.
Ground staff are mainly employed by organisations that manage playing and leisure facilities. These include local authorities - which maintain over 50% of all sports surfaces in the UK - sports clubs, Grounds Maintenance contractors, schools and colleges, and golf clubs.
There are around 15,000 Greenkeepers working in the UK. Employers include private golf clubs, local authority leisure departments that operate public golf courses, hotels with golf facilities and ground maintenance contractors.
In recent years the promotion of the link between playing sport and good health has meant more leisure facilities and more opportunities for ground staff, particularly those with the right qualifications or aptitude to working in the industry.
Jobs are available throughout the country, with the most opportunities in more heavily populated areas.
As a Groundsman or Greenkeeper you will look after sports grounds, such as football, cricket and rugby pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts, racecourses and golf courses.
You will need practical skills to operate various types of machinery and you need to be able to understand plans and drawings to be able to mark out pitches, calculate seed amounts and fertiliser and pesticide applications.
If you have experience in horticulture, you may be able to enter as an unskilled Groundsman. You may then be able to progress to skilled level by gaining experience and working towards relevant qualifications. Alternatively, you may choose to do a full-time course in horticulture, landscaping or sports and amenity turf maintenance. A Modern Apprenticeship is a great way to get started too.
The key role of a Greenkeeper or Groundsman is to ensure that the playing surface is maintained in a good and safe condition. It may be made of natural turf, synthetic turf or a combination of both. Daily tasks vary according to the time of year and the type of surface being prepared, but they may include:
- Ensuring the playing surface is maintained in a condition that meets the requirements of the sporting body regulations, which is safe for the players while giving entertainment to the spectators
- Controlling and removing weeds as and when required which will be dependent upon the time of year and season
- Setting out accurately and marking out the playing areas to the requirements of the governing body of the sport using only approved marking compounds or tape
- Caring for surrounding ornamental areas, such as flower beds and environmental / ecological areas and habitats.
- Operating light and heavy equipment, such as mowers, sprinklers and shredders
- Driving tractors with a variety of specialised attachments, including gangmowers, sprayers, seeders and spiked rollers.
Sometimes groundsmen or greenkeepers may be involved in the construction of a new surface. This may involve reading drawings, preparing the land and ensuring there is sufficient irrigation and drainage to meet the needs of the surface.
Groundsmen and Greenkeepers often come into contact with the public and relevant sports men and women, so need good communication skills. They may also have to deal with on-site contractors.
Some ground staff work as self-employed contractors and some specialise in particular areas of the worker single sports facilities.
Working Conditions
Ground staff usually work 37 to 40 hours a week. However, actual working hours depend on the time of year, where they work and any special events the sports facility will be used for.
The hours can be unsociable and involve evenings and weekends, especially when working for professional sports clubs that may play matches under floodlights.
Grounds staff spend most of their time working outside in all weather conditions. The work could involve a fair amount of walking, lifting and bending. In some jobs, grounds staff, may need to travel around one large site or to divide their time between several sites.
Content
Salary
Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.
Starting salary:
£15,000
Ending Salary:
£23,000
Content
Getting started
You should have an interest in sports turf and hands-on work such as gardening or general horticultural.
Ground staff working in a particular sport normally have a good knowledge of the game.
Although ground staff do not need formal qualifications, it can be helpful to have some experience in gardening or horticulture. An appropriate Modern Apprenticeship can also provide a great start.
What experienced workers can do
- Maintain structures and surfaces
- Use equipment and machinery
- Maintain planted areas in good condition
- Present and maintain sports surfaces and facilities for play, including setting out the required equipment
- Level and prepare sites for landscaping
- Have an understanding of plant and soil science, to ensure surfaces are maintained in a playable condition.
Personal qualities you should have
- Flexible
- Like the outdoors
- Happy to work on your own or with others
- Good communication skills.
Content
Next steps
Promotion prospects often depend on the size of the employer. Ground staff working for larger organisations, such as local authorities and some sports clubs, may be able to move up to the role of supervisor or team leader and then Head Greenkeeper or Grounds Manager.
Some grounds staff may progress to manage several courses or leisure areas and become estate managers.
Those working in smaller organisations may need to move to a different company to gain further experience and promotion.
Promotion also depends on the achievement of higher-level qualifications. The IOG offers a range of courses for people who want to continue their professional development or specialise in particular areas of the work within groundsmanship.
There may also be opportunities to become self-employed and to work overseas.
Useful links
British Association of Landscape Industries
British International Golf Greenkeepers Association
Greenkeepers Training Committee
Head Greenkeeper
Content
There are around 15,000 greenkeepers working in the UK in private golf clubs, local authority leisure departments that operate public golf courses, hotels with golf facilities and in ground maintenance contractors.
A Head Greenkeeper is responsible for the management, maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course. It is their job to maintain a good and safe playing surface and make sure the course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience for golfers.
The four key areas on a golf course of tees, fairways, greens and areas of rough each require a different type of maintenance. Greenkeepers are often also responsible for the maintenance and planting of trees, shrubs and flower beds.
Greenkeepers tour the course at the start of the day to prepare it for play. This can require very early starts to ensure the best playing surfaces are available on a daily basis. Greenkeepers also need to be constantly aware of golfers on the course, making sure their work does not interfere with play, and must keep health and safety at the forefront of all their activities.
Their work will include:
- Communicating to staff, colleagues, other managers, golfers and the public
- Managing budgets, finance and resources
- Managing recruitment, selection and training of staff
- Motivating and enthusing staff
- Planning and monitoring the maintenance regime for the course
- Managing the environmental policy
- Managing projects and events.
Working Conditions
The hours worked by Head Greenkeepers can be longer in the spring and summer months. In summer, work may start at around 6am in order to complete various tasks before the course is open to golfers. As golf courses usually open seven days a week, weekend work is common.
Head Greenkeepers spend their time between outdoors on the course and dealing with all the management aspects of the golf course.
Content
Salary
Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.
Starting salary:
£15,000
Ending Salary:
£23,000
Content
Getting started
You should be interested in sports turf, working outdoors, golf, and the challenges that players expect from a course.
Although this career is competitive, opportunities are available through an appropriate Modern Apprenticeship.
What experienced workers can do
- Give customers a positive impression of yourself and your organisation
- Support individuals to develop and maintain their performance
- Co-ordinate the management of planted areas
- Co-ordinate the establishment of planted areas
- Implement plans for the management of sports turf areas
- Plan, run and evaluate projects.
Personal qualities you should have
- Flexibility
- Likes working outdoors
- People person
- Safety aware.
Content
Next steps
Some Head Greenkeepers may progress to manage several courses by becoming estate managers.
An understanding of the techniques and science of different playing surfaces can lead to employment opportunities in other sports. It may also be possible to move into agronomy or golf course design.
There may be opportunities to work overseas.
Useful links
British Association of Landscape Industries
British International Golf Greenkeepers Association
Greenkeepers Training Committee