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Groundsperson

Groundsperson Image

Groundspeople look after sports and recreation grounds, including football, rugby and cricket pitches, tennis courts, golf courses and bowling greens. They keep the soil, grass and turf in good condition. They are also known as greenkeepers or sportsturf managers.

The Work

You could be:

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).

As of 1 April 2023 the National Minimum Wage is £5.28 an hour for workers under 18, £7.49 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20 and £10.18 an hour for workers aged 21 to 22. The National Living Wage for those aged 23 and over is £10.42 an hour.

A junior groundsperson can expect to earn around £16,000 a year rising to between £18,000 to £24,000 a year with experience. A head groundsperson earns around £30,000 to £40,000 a year.

Conditions

Workforce Employment Status

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Getting In

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

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Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland
2022
2650
1.8 %
FALL
2027
2603
  United Kingdom
2022
34402
1.3 %
RISE
2027
34859

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What Does it Take?

You need to be:

You need to have some technical knowledge of soil and plant biology. Groundspeople usually have a strong interest in sport and the environment.

Training

Getting On

Video

Courtesy of The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) 

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA)
Tel: 01347 833800
E-mail: info@bigga.co.uk
Website: http://www.bigga.org.uk/
Twitter: @BIGGALtd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/golfgreenkeepers/

Chartered Institute of Horticulture
Tel: 03330 050 181
E-mail: cih@horticulture.org.uk
Website: https://www.horticulture.org.uk/
Twitter: @cihort
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CIHort

Grounds Management Association
Tel: 01908 312511
Website: https://thegma.org.uk/
Twitter: @thegma_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groundsmanagementassociation

Lantra Scotland
Tel: 01738 310164
E-mail: scotland@lantra.co.uk
Website: https://www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/
Twitter: @LantraScotland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lantrascotland/

Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector.

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