Work Based Apprenticeships at Walford and North Shropshire College

Shropshire, United Kingdom, December 22, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Both Jonny, aged 16 and James, aged 19 were interested in working in Horticulture and both preferred a more practical, hands on approach to learning. Both also wanted to earn money and gain valuable work experience whilst training for recognised qualifications so it is hardly surprising that both opted to join the Apprenticeship programme offered by the Walford Training department of the College.

Despite their many similarities, which also include both having future ambitions to gain full time employment within the horticultural industry, each Apprentice has chosen a very different pathway.

Jonny, a school leaver has chosen the General Horticulture pathway. He chose this route because he was particularly interested in working in grounds and gardens. By following this route he will ensure he has a broad knowledge of horticultural practices including lawn care, operation of garden machinery to clear and prepare ground, and establishing, pruning and maintaining plants. He is currently working at Ellesmere College as Grounds man/Gardener where he is gaining experience in all these areas and in amenity/sports turf health and operation of hand held and pedestrian controlled powered equipment, such as; mowers, scarifiers and aerators.

James, a mature apprentice who says his main motivation for choosing work-based training was to enhance his skills and make himself more employable, has chosen the Sports Turf pathway. This pathway is more specific to the care of sports turf including renovation, maintaining health and condition of sports pitches. It also includes the operation of larger machinery such as ride-on mowers and tractors. Based at Oswestry School James is gaining experience in all these practical aspects and marking out different types of sports pitches.

During their time on the programme the apprentices are assigned a placement officer who visits them at regular intervals; every 6-8 weeks, to assess them in practical skills at work. They also provide support and guidance to students and liaise with work supervisors to ensure the programme runs smoothly.

Roger Sorsby, Placement Officer for the Walford Training Department of Walford and North Shropshire College says “College links with work by helping the students put together a portfolio of evidence for the qualification and teaches them the theory behind tasks carried out at work which in turn helps them to understand better the results they are trying to achieve.”

For more information about Apprenticeships at Walford and North Shropshire College please visit our website at www.wnsc.ac.uk or telephone Walford Training on 01939 262131

###