JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 147

A LT E R N AT I V E C O L L E G E S

To be a groundsperson,
you must be willing to
work in all weathers
Sports college

AV technicians need to be
physically fit - the job involves
transporting equipment and
climbing gantries

Role Groundsperson
Sports colleges have a range of outdoor facilities and as groundsperson
your job will be to make sure they are always in good order. You'll
spend your days laying turf, rolling and mowing grass, marking out
pitches and maintaining their condition. You may also maintain the
equipment you use, such as ride-on mowers. With experience, you
could progress to managing budgets, purchasing equipment and
developing maintenance schedules.
What skills and qualifications do I need? Firstly, a willingness to
work in all weathers! You'll also need to be a team player but capable of
working independently too. Basic maths skills are needed for
measuring out pitches and a practical mind will help in the
maintenance of equipment. School leavers can enter the profession as
an apprentice groundsperson, studying one day a week at college. The
Institute of Groundsmanship (see box, below) offers sports turf
qualifications that can help you progress through your career.
How much can I earn? Entry level salaries range from £17,000 to
£21,000, rising to £27,000 with experience. You could eventually
earn £48,000 at the top of your profession.

WORDS EVE BOGGENPOEL IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK

Drama school
Role Audio-visual technician
AV technicians set up and operate sound and lighting equipment for rehearsals,
events and performances. They are responsible for checking, servicing and repairing
equipment and training students to use the facilities. Some roles include setting up
other AV resources, such as projectors and screens and using digital video cameras.
What skills and qualifications do I need? A working knowledge of cameras, lighting
and sound equipment and techniques, and familiarity with image editing software are
desirable. You'll need to be physically fit because you'll be transporting and lifting equipment,
climbing gantries and standing for long periods of time. The ability to work as part of a
team is also essential. While there are no set qualifications
Find out more
required, and entry-level positions are based on experience or
* Institute of Carpenters
instituteofcarpenters.com
apprenticeships, an HNC, HND foundation degree or degree in
* Institute of Groundsmanship
a subject such as creative media production would be useful.
www.iog.org
* Royal College of Veterinary
How much can I earn? Entry-level salaries start at £16,000,
Surgeons rcvs.org.uk
and range from £25,000 to £40,000 with experience.
J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 1 4 7



http://www.instituteofcarpenters.com http://www.iog.org http://rcvs.org.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018

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https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/JobsandCareersAutumn2017
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