Grounds Maintenance Training Program

Purpose: To engage participants seeking a career as a grounds maintenance technician or related

occupation by teaching adaptive workplace skills and providing hands-on workplace experience
to apply skills.
Schedule/Course Duration: A three month experience consisting of approximately 12 hours per
week. Training time is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Weeks one
and two are dedicated to classroom training covering daily tasks of a grounds maintenance
technician. The remainder of the time provides hands-on training in a real life work environment.
Training Objectives: Beyond the Landscape Maintenance Safety Training Program, students
will be trained working in an office and retail environment allowing them to practice hands-on
application of the concepts and adaptive workplace skills they will be taught in the course.
Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the topics:

Proper Attire and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use

Threats from Chemicals
Proper Use and Maintenance of Lawn Care Equipment
Adaptive Workplace Skills: Safety Standards, Equipment Usage, Process Improvement
Tools, Proper Inventory Receiving and Storage, Customer Service Skills, and Teamwork

Eligibility Requirements:

18 years of age or older

Have a desire to work in the grounds maintenance field
Ability to work in a team setting
Remain clean and sober during training
Ability to lift 50 lbs. (possibly more on occasion)
Ability to stand for long periods of time
Background appropriate for grounds maintenance field
Basic Resume

Training Completion Criteria: Students will receive a Certificate of Completion showing work
experience. The certificate validates that students have successfully demonstrated the ability to
succeed in the areas included in the hands-on training portion.
Landscape Maintenance Safety Training Completion Criteria: Graduates will demonstrate
competency in all areas of the Landscape Maintenance Safety Training Program:

Proper Attire
Personal Protective Equipment
Chemical Threats

Proper Use and Maintenance of Lawn Care Equipment

Attendance: Attendance is among the most significant deciding factors for success and
retention. Students are allowed two unexcused absences throughout the three months of training.
Exceeding that allowed amount of absences can result in termination from the program as it is
directly correlated to projected job success which is the ultimate goal of the training program.
Industry Information: The grounds maintenance occupation is growing and expected to grow
at a rate of 8% to 14% between now and 2022. The average hourly wage for grounds
maintenance workers was $13.85 hourly in 2014.
Additional Services: During the training, students will receive assistance in creating a
professional resume and cover letter. Students will also receive industry related certifications
(Landscape Maintenance Safety Training) and skills acquired in the hands-on training portion.
Graduates will have the opportunity to apply with local employers seeking grounds maintenance
candidates.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook

Handbook, 2014-15 Edition