APPRENTICE gardeners have been getting their hands dirty to help make a city park a more colourful place.
New native trees have been planted at Woodthorpe Grange Park thanks to the efforts of 25 trainee park rangers and gardeners at Nottingham City Council.
The 32 trees near the park's football pitch will blossom into colour in time for next autumn.
They were planted at the park on Wednesday during a training session to teach the apprentices about tree production, planting and aftercare.
The apprentices started their NVQ level two apprenticeships with the council in March last year.
Trainee gardener Harry Rashid, 20, of Lenton Abbey, said: "I first started gardening as work experience in Year 10 at Fernwood School and I loved it. I've finally got a job that I enjoy massively. For me it's the dream job as I love outdoor work."
Paul Valentine, 45, of St Ann's, got his first taste of gardening growing up in Jamaica.
The apprentice, who has lived in Nottingham for nine years, said: "I would like to be able to master all the things I have learned and hopefully go on to become a supervisor.
"By doing an apprenticeship I can have a career for life."
Nursery apprentice Joe Robinson, 19, of Bulwell, said he hoped the qualification will build on his experience working at Reuben Shaw & Sons garden centre, in Moorgreen.
He said: "I learned how to dig troughs and pick out plants to plant into flower beds on city roundabouts. I like getting my hands dirty."
The Nottingham Post is looking to find more opportunities for apprentices through its 100 in 100 campaign.
With the Notts and Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce and the National Apprenticeship Service, we set out to find 100 apprenticeships in 100 days. Having reached our target early, we are now trying to find 150 vacancies before the campaign ends in April.
City council park ranger Craig Mulder, of Bestwood Park, said: "It has been useful having the apprentices around. They are learning on the job and it's certainly been a boost to our service.
"The people of Nottingham like to take pride in the city's parks and want to see them looked after and improved, and that's what we're all about."
Councillor David Trimble, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for leisure, culture and customers, came up with the idea for the autumnal woodland project.
He said: "These trees will give a spectacular autumn colour and a big impact on the park as well as being a great learning opportunity for our apprentices."
 |  |
Incineration Economic policy Savings rates Guantánamo Bay Joey Barton Supermarkets
No comments:
Post a Comment