“I was initially drawn to the apprenticeship programme because it was a way to learn, earn a qualification and work at the same time,” Aisling O’Connell said, who is completing a two-year higher cert apprenticeship in horticulture at the Teagasc College in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
The apprenticeship model involves students, their employers and the Teagasc College in the National Botanic Gardens. Teagasc delivers and assesses the academic part of the programme, which takes place over 50 block-release days in each year at the college in Dublin. Some of these days are delivered online to allow for remote engagement. The current programme started at the end of August in 2024 and will run until June 2026. During the course, Aisling continues to work full-time at Tully Nurseries in Ballyboughal in North County Dublin, which she joined several years ago.
Practical experience
“Before I had started working in Tullys, I had been considering the Level 5 certificate in horticulture but, at the time, it wasn’t financially feasible for me to go into full-time education,” Aisling added.
“When I was told about the apprenticeship, I knew that it would complement the practical experience I had already gained on the job, and I was excited to have access to more in-depth knowledge.”
Apprentices in horticulture spend the first year gaining plant knowledge and the basics of soil science, identification of plants, plant science and propagation, machinery health and safety, and IT.
“What I like most about the course is plant ID and learning the specific needs of each plant,” Aisling said. “We grow a wide range of plants at Tullys, so I’m finding that particularly helpful in my day-to-day role. I am looking forward to the plant protection module, as I want to learn more about ways to combat pests in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.”
Enthusiasm
Martin Tully, the founder of Tully Nurseries, has been a keen supporter of the apprenticeship programme. He has been involved as a consortium member since the course’s inception and provided input into its current set up.
“Aisling was a natural fit to join the programme, with her enthusiasm for all things plant related,” Martin said.
“She has not come from a traditional horticultural background and had a career in hairdressing before coming to the world of plants. Horticulture captured her imagination and she is thriving on the new knowledge that the apprenticeship programme is delivering.”
The current programme includes apprentices from the landscape, nursery, gardens and parks, garden centres and veg sectors. All are together on-site for the college days.
“There’s a lot to be learned from the other apprentices, they have insights and expertise that I haven’t experienced, and are always very willing to lend a hand when it comes to practical skills and assignments,” Aisling said.
“There’s a good balance between on the job and off the job learning. Initially I was concerned with how I would manage the workload, but the course is set out in a way that is very doable and I’m really enjoying the experience.”
Join the team
If you are interested in finding out more about the apprenticeship, contact: John Mulhern, Teagasc College of Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens and Ashtown, by email at john.mulhern@teagasc.ie, or call 087-961-3860.
The above article first appeared in Today’s Farm. Access previous publications and find out more information on Today’s Farm here.
