grounds maintenance worker

maintenance team leader

associate

groundskeeper

quality control supervisor

Countrywide

My day starts at 6.30 am when i arrive at the depot , Where get my orders off my manager which schools to do in the day . Our company look after the grounds maintenance on primary and high schools in the Manchester area . As a chargehand i them tell my two other team members what machines and equipment we require for the day . ie from hand tools right up to ride on tractors . Once we  have left and got to our first of our schools . First job is to sign in at reception and do a risk assessment on the site for that day , complying with health and safety on the site .The i then instruct my two team members of what work needs doing on the site. Once this is complete then we can then start work on the site . when all work on site is completed we sign out and move on to the next site . Once all work is completed on all sites for that day we head back to the depot for 4.30pm. the hardest part of the day is working safely on the school when the children are on the site . you have to have eyes in the back of your head . To make sure they are in a safe distance from where you are working . the most enjoyable part of the job is when a member of staff complements you on the good work you are doing on the school .

Very very unorganised, over worked and under paid! 10 hour days and I barely ever came out with much over £1000 for the month. 

Leicestershire management are some of the most petty and lazy people I've ever come across, they can't keep staff due to low wages and poor working conditions. None of the kit worked properly and was bodged by the "mechanic" who was just a friend of the boss who'd come in and drink tea whilst slating all members of staff. 

No matter what you do you'll never be thanked or appricated, hasn't got a clue how to run a business and just plays at it. Most of the sites are an absolute mess and you'll never be able to get them looking good in the time frame expected. Don't understand how or why it's still open, think management just like to play it so it keeps the beer tokens coming in to feed his habit. 

Lunch hour taken from you're wages without you even having time for one, ZERO room for progression unless you do 3-5 years for a team leader role and still not be on more than £9 an hour. Honestly just avoid if you like the industry.

I have only worked for countrywide dorset for just over a year and have progressed upto interim operations manager.
I have only worked in the grounds maintenance sector since 2020 after working in retail in a management role.
Countrywide support there staff fully with training and support and the teams support each other and make sure at the start and end of each day that each individual is set up for the day.
This company is a role model for the whole franchise and this is down to the management team and whole work force working in tandem like a well oiled machine.
On terms of machinery, it is all well serviced and well maintained and renewed when required which enables each team to continue there day to day rounds with no negative impact.
Working for countrywide is an honour and a privilege to provide top quality service to a number of sites and individuals across the southern region. 

Worked for Countrywide many years ago on their then acquired MOD contract. Work was great, kept you fit and healthy. Thoroughly enjoyed driving Ransoms and operating other types of sit on machines. Our then Chivenor contract was two days of very hard graft, we often only stopped for a short lunch break. Enjoyed always leaving the places we maintained in exemplary condition. We put council workers to shame. No options to advance just seasonal contracts. No job security of any kind, No health insurance. No sick pay. Back then having a driving licence could get you a full time position if you were very lucky. These days they all want full driving with trailer licences and spraying tickets, chainsaw even. Seems the days of the basic skilled employee are over.

A typical day a work for me involved me organising the rest of the work force so that we were ready and prepared for the days work ahead of us.
As supervisor i learned how to manage the rest of the work force and show them the task in hand, and I also learned about the safe use of herbicides as i done my Pa1+6 course.
 They had a good management system in a place, any problems or queries were quickly dealt with and resolved.
My co-workers were good workers which made the day pass by better as they got on with the job required for that day.
The hardest part of the job was equipment failure which delayed the day and the most enjoyable part of the job was driving the van from job to job and doing the ride on work. Also i enjoyed doing the hedge cutting and looking back to see what a diffrence we had made.

An early start to the day has its benefits, once you get use to it. 
Then its mostly under a 45 minute jpurney to site before you get on the tools.  Well equiped and regularly serviced machinery ensures you can get nearly all the tasks completed, with more specialised equipment on hand if required.
The variety of work across the day means it can feel like a quick day. Added to the fact that you are outside it has a real feel good factor come rain or shine.
  Then its back to the yard to clean and prep vehicles and equipment for the following day. A good team ethic ensures that everyone chips in and supports one another before it time to head home.

I have been in the grounds maintenance industry for a good number of years and this is one of the most reliable companies in the area  to work for.  They really value their staff and have plenty of work to keep you busy, but what is really good is that during the winter when other companies tend to let you go, we are still guaranteed a job and continuous work.  If you like working outside and don't mind being busy this is a great job!   The equipment and vans are well maintained and uniform and PPE are provided, they even pay for your work boots.   Don't take any notice of the negative reviews as they are usually from ex employees who were not team players and expect a full days pay for a half days work.

If you want to be worked into the ground and blamed for the no maintenance of machines also breakages of already bodged multiple times this job is for you management have no idea and DO NOT care about you at all aslong as they can bill the client that’s all that matters there’s no time to take any pride in your work and then it’s your fault paying bare minimum to all employees and expect a professional  job all targets are non realistic trying to do 12hours work in 9 maybe if the bosses showed some respect to there workers they may get some back if you have worked here you will know the score do yourself a favour miss this place amd don’t think twice 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Comedy act, there heads aren't screwed on in morning till end of shift,farcical comedy.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The lot of it,as soon as you sit in that van in morning,doom,gloom&boom

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Stinks,they have you doing all sorts of things,like cleaning co sheds or pig sty 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Not good as I say stop at nothing to get the last ounce of energy out of you,it is actually criminal

Genuinely enjoyed my time at work here, kept me active and gave me a sense of pride in the jobs I was doing.
Approachable managers that were always available to chat, took my thoughts and concerns seriously and transparent with their aims too. 
Very much a job that you get back what you put in, with great staff that help make the days seem very quick. 
Can’t thank them enough for taking me on fully unskilled and giving me the tools and time to become a professional. 
Would definitely recommend working here if you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Grounds maintenance worker 13 salaries reported	£12.36 per hour
Maintenance team leader 1 salary reported	£23,500 per year
Associate 10 salaries reported	£27,100 per year
Groundskeeper 1 salary reported	£23,125 per year
Quality control supervisor 6 salaries reported	£24,000 per year

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