Having introduced the apprentice training trial initiative in the last issue of Horticulture Connected, John Mulhern, principal of the College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens brings us up to speed on how they are working in practice
| In the past few months we have actively promoted the idea of apprenticeships with horticulture companies. We have had a very good level of cooperation from across the sector including representative organisations such as the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland (ALCI) and individual operators. Just to refresh you, the idea behind the trialing of apprenticeships is to allow students of horticulture to connect with companies for work outside the normal academic calendar of their course, i.e. during the summer holidays. This allows the students to engage actively with a company for the summer months and develop their skills and practical knowledge further. Students then return to the college for their theory based components but enriched with experience that would be of benefit to them. The initiative is a win-win for both students and employers alike.To get the trials underway we set up a job board in college, which advertised each company with a standard one-page format. We had interest from 12 companies that were looking to take on apprentices in the landscaping area. Students were able to view the company profiles and then go and make direct contact with them. The jobs board also allows companies to advertise for graduate opportunities in their companies. So far we have had two companies that have actively come on board looking for students. Both of these companies operate in the landscape and nursery sectors. They are big employers and would take our students on work experience regularly.Interestingly, any of our students targeted with summer apprenticeships had already secured work in their own field of interest. This reflects the upsurge in demand for horticulture staff in the greater Dublin area. We are seeing a lot of students who were on work experience in the 12 to 15 week period during the spring continuing with their employer for the rest of the summer. This is fantastic to see as it is providing the students with an apprenticeship in any case.Employers are welcome to get in contact with us with regard to advertising for interns. This is a long-term commitment to the college and to horticulture and I have no doubt that it will reap rewards for the industry in time. We encourage all operators of horticulture businesses to contact us to see how we can work together. |
One of the first Irish companies to get behind the apprenticeship trials was Tully Nurseries based in North County Dublin. Owned and operated by the highly regarded nurseryman and education advocate Martin Tully, it is one of the leading businesses in Ireland and is well known for being an early adopter of new technologies and practices. As part of the new initiative, the nursery took on Kenny Brennan, a Level six student from the National Botanic Gardens for a 16-week placement.
During his time at Tully’s, Kenny is focusing on developing his plant knowledge and customer service skills. Skills which are being fostered by the experienced staff at the nursery. “We were delighted to be one of the first companies to step up and support this programme”, commented Martin. “We are placing Kenny in different sections of the business to provide him with a diverse base of experience. Looking to the future of the programme, we need to develop a more formalised process, which affords transparency, traceability and a firm set of standards. Students and employers need the security of a robust process with agreed outcomes. To succeed the programme needs a commitment from all horticultural sub-sectors.”
Kenny has a further two years of study ahead and hopes to build on the knowledge he has acquired and the relationship he has built with the nursery. His ultimate aim is to pursue a career in either nursery operation or garden retail. No doubt the practical experience afforded to him will help direct his final decision.
Kenny’s ultimate aim is direct employment in the nursery or garden centre sector. I have no doubt that this work experience will be a hugely important part of his success. ✽
 JOHN MULHERN has worked with Teagasc for more the 17 years, primarily in an educational capacity. He is the current principal of the College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin. |
