Case studies

Steven Thompson's father has always been an influential figure in his life, both as a child and even today; his encouragement and support enabled Steven to pursue the career he always wanted.

Twickenham's Head Groundsman Keith Kent says that although the job has changed considerably in the last few decades, using more machinery, technology and science, Keith believes it is still a vocation. The right training can lead to a rewarding lifelong career, and as British groundsmen are renowned throughout the world for their expertise, some very exciting opportunities. 

Michael Pollock is joint proprieter of Beechill Landscapes, a well established landscaping  company which currently employs 16 staff, based in Belfast.

Richard Welburn, Head of Parks and Green Space Services, part of Leicester City Council’s Regeneration and Culture Department, was once an apprentice himself - and he warmly welcomes the return of an apprenticeship system so Leicester can ‘grow its own’ workers.

 

As Trust Maager for the Living Environment Trust in Coventry, Raffaella Tentindo restores neglected or vandalised green areas through the delivery of a range of community and educational programmes. The 31-year-old Italian biology graduate found the job by chance and has developed her skills with further training to meet the requirements of her fascinating and varied role.    

          

After taking up an outdoors Groundwork programme former unemployed father-of-three Roy Churchman hasn't let the grass grow under his feet.

                              

 

 

David Keegan is Owner and Director of David Keegan Garden Design & Build in the heart of Manchester, changing the face of many blank areas and bringing landscaping to the city. David is fervent about the work he does and has a mission to have cities in harmony with the countryside. “I have always loved the countryside but need to live in the city for many reasons, which I also love,” he says. “There really is no ‘us and them’; it is entirely plausible to live in the city and have a love of greenery and the countryside.” 

 

Aged 16 and armed with excellent school exam results many wanted John Ledwidge to aim for university, but he knew what he wanted in life and he had other plans. An apprenticeship with his favourite football club Coventry City, but unlike many other youngsters it was not as a player. He is now Assistant Groundsman at Aston Villa Football Club.  Watch the videa and read the case study.

When Susan Stuart joined Thrive at Battersea Park as Garden Manager in 2006 she wanted to make a difference. She has. But she would agree the difference made by her (and to her) by Thrive is nothing compared to the beneficial effects of the charity’s way of training - and opening doors - for ‘those touched by disability’… whether through physical impairment, a learning disability or mental ill health.

                                                     

Becoming an apprentice is a very reqarding experience according to Stella Fear, Head Gardener at Holland Park in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Marcus Harvey smiles when he says that Quadron Service has started a 'grow your own' scheme for the parks and gardens of Southwark. He doesn’t mean flowers or foliage, but a new generation of green fingered apprentices to work across the London borough.

For Haringey Council, cultivating gardeners and helping them grow professionally is just as important as the plants and parks they work in. And thanks to a commitment to apprenticeships, the borough’s parks workforce is set to blossom

 

 

Kevin Wheatley has seen and experienced training from all angles – as a trainer, college tutor, recipient, supervisor and employer.

 

He believes the many demands of modern day working life make training essential for every business, both at management and employee levels.

 

When after 20 years as a butcher Craig Price decided on a total career change, he launched his own landscaping business - turning his hobby into a profession. Demand for the services of All Seasons Gardening in Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire has already grown so much since 2006 that he is 'branching out' with a franchise. Learning new skills for working with trees through Train to Gain will make a dramatic difference this year - expanding the scope of Craig's services, extending his busy season well into the winter, and generating more income and potential for further training for him and his staff.

 

Duncan Henderson began his horticultural career as an apprentice with Bristol City Council and rose to become Operations Manager and a training pioneer with Kirklees Council in Yorkshire.

 

He is dedicated to securing the best and most comprehensive training for the Parks and Open Spaces workforce of the Culture and Leisure Department. This has already involved dozens of staff taking courses through the Train to Gain and Women and Work initiatives. Even more staff will be involved in training in 2009, when the council will also take on six new horticultural apprentices.

While in employment, Philip McKeown is just about to complete his NVQ Level 2 Award in Amenity Horticulture at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise's (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus, specialising in sportsturf.

Unsure of which direction he wanted to take when he reached 16 years, Donald Wilson attended an open evening at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise's (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus where he spoke to advisers about a career in horticulture.