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It's Looking Rosy for Reg
A Truro teenagers’ future is looking rosy after successfully securing an apprenticeship in horticulture with Truro City Council along with support from the Training Agency at Duchy College, Rosewarne. Andrew Hocking, 16, or ‘Reg’ as he is fondly known as by his colleagues, has been learning the skills, knowledge and expertise required to maintain open public spaces with close mentoring from his supervisor, Pete Kessell, and colleagues at Duchy College. Pete has 25 years experience of working in horticulture and started his career through a youth training scheme at Duchy College. He is now the head gardener of Truro City Centre, sharing his knowledge and experiences with Andrew.
Andrew works with Pete four days a week and is released to attend college for one day per week to enhance his theory and practical skills.
Andrew said: “The apprenticeship scheme is great because I can learn a trade and earn a wage at the same time. I’m really enjoying gaining practical experience and knowledge in horticulture and would like to continue my career in this direction."
Through the apprenticeship scheme, Andrew has gained practical experience in maintaining shrub borders, pruning, lawn mowing, general nursery work and has prepared hanging baskets which have been sold to the public.
He has also been given the opportunity to work on more challenging tasks such as pruning trees and shrubs that are planted on highways where he has had to learn to manage traffic, and comply with health and safety procedures.
This year Andrew will be participating in the annual South West in Bloom competition, which takes place in June. Last year Truro was awarded Gold in the ‘Portman Cup’ category in the competition for their hanging baskets and flower beds in the city centre.
Mr Kessell, said: “Andrew has done exceptionally well so far, and has demonstrated commitment to developing his skills and his career in horticulture. He has worked very hard and has contributed well to the efforts of the gardening team. Truro city council has been impressed with Andrew’s work and wishes him every success for the future.”
Employers who are considering taking on an apprentice in horticulture or people who would like to find out more about becoming an apprentice can contact Duchy College Rosewarne on 01209 721321.
Until April, the National Apprenticeship Service will provide up to 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants for employers of 16 and 17 year olds with a value of £2,500 to encourage employers to take on unemployed 16-17 year olds as apprentices.
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