The Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) has called on the governing to put up greater flexibleness and support to horticultural businesses training apprentices as it marks National Apprenticeship Week , which commence today .
The HTA says reform of the Apprenticeship Levy system is needed to incentivize horticultural businesses to take on apprentices ahead of this year ’s growing time of year . It says great flexibleness is needed in get at the funds and broaden the background for use . In gain to traditional apprenticeships , the HTA is seeking politics sustenance for the development of horticultural academic degree apprenticeships that would ponder the evolving breadth of roles and the alter acquisition penury of the sector as it go towards encompass mechanization and impart to the achievement of the UK ’s net zero and biodiversity goal .
It is also calling for an step-up to resources for gestate out terminal assessments with apprentices , with many determination they are unable to make out their breeding as they present tenacious waits at the assessment gateway due to the want of trained assessors . The HTA articulate investment funds and government financial backing are needed to ensure that the final stage - point assessments required to complete horticulture apprenticeships are full operating , approachable , and uniform .
Alan Down , President of the HTA , said : “ The environmental horticulture sphere make a huge contribution to the thriftiness and is primed to play a lead role in progressing the UK ’s sustainability plans . However , the sphere can only continue to expand and execute its potential with memory access to a steady stream of fresh endowment . We need the politics to review and strengthen its financial backing for apprenticeships in our sphere . That will be a winnings for business organisation , vernal hoi polloi , and the environment .
“ The Apprenticeship Levy system in its current form lay down it hard for businesses who pay the Levy and SMEs , within the environmental horticulture sector and beyond , to get at the funding they necessitate to take on apprentice . We urge on the government to commit to straighten out the Levy so that it can become a practicable education option , as was in the first place intend . This , along with amply operational and approachable end - period assessments , will enable our apprentices to complete their training and take their position in the manpower . ”
Geoff Caeser , Business Development Director at Allensmore Nurseries , said : “ apprenticeship are a huge opportunity for the business organisation and for the individual learner . The challenge is finding the right people . It is a loyalty and hard work when you have a job , but you get rewarded with both the reservation and the electric potential to move on within a business . For those hoi polloi who want careers in horticulture , from technical to sales agreement , apprenticeship are a magnificent way to accomplish this . ”
The Association of Professional Landscapers ( APL ) , a landscape gardening specialist chemical group within the HTA , runs a two - twelvemonth apprenticeship computer programme that sees current employees , as well as raw entrant into the industry , undergo hard-nosed training contribute by industry expert .
Phil Tremayne , General Manager at the Association of Professional Landscapers ( APL ) , said : “ apprenticeship are an priceless way of attracting new recruits into the sphere , as well as upskilling exist gift . Our apprenticeship political platform is designed by the diligence , for the industry , and is continually quality assured by our team . Our phallus need all the bread and butter they can get from the government to be capable to give their learner the best grooming possible . ”
A total of 1,169 people embark on apprenticeships in the gardening sector in 2021/22 , a 6 % increase from 1,105 in 20201 . The tree farming , forestry , horticulture & landscape groundbreaker group – a chemical group made up of spokesperson from more than 70 organization , which has championed and co-ordinated apprenticeship in the sector since 2014 – has spring up eight apprenticeship programs for the sector spanning a diversity of part , let in tree surgeon , timberland operatives , patronage administrators and horticulture and landscape intelligence officer and executive program .
National Apprenticeship Week , promoted by The Department for Education , fete the achievement of apprentices around the UK and the positive shock they make on community , businesses , and the panoptic economic system . National Apprenticeship Week 2023 run from 6 to 12 February .
For more informationHorticultural craft Associationwww.the-hta.org.uk
