The Horticultural Trades Affiliation (HTA) has referred to as on the federal government to supply larger flexibility and assist to horticultural companies coaching apprentices because it marks Nationwide Apprenticeship Week, which begins in the present day.
The HTA says reform of the Apprenticeship Levy scheme is required to incentivize horticultural companies to tackle apprentices forward of this 12 months’s rising season. It says larger flexibility is required in accessing the funds and broadening the scope to be used. Along with conventional apprenticeships, the HTA is looking for authorities assist for the event of horticultural diploma apprenticeships that may replicate the evolving breadth of roles and the altering abilities wants of the sector because it strikes in direction of embracing automation and contributing to the achievement of the UK’s web zero and biodiversity objectives.
It is usually calling for a rise to sources for finishing up closing assessments with apprentices, with many discovering they’re unable to finish their coaching as they face lengthy waits on the evaluation gateway as a result of lack of skilled assessors. The HTA says funding and authorities assist are wanted to make sure that the end-point assessments required to finish horticulture apprenticeships are absolutely operational, accessible, and constant.
Alan Down, President of the HTA, mentioned: “The environmental horticulture sector makes an enormous contribution to the economic system and is primed to play a number one function in progressing the UK’s sustainability plans. Nevertheless, the sector can solely proceed to thrive and fulfill its potential with entry to a gradual stream of latest expertise. We’d like the federal government to evaluate and strengthen its assist for apprenticeships in our sector. That shall be a win for companies, younger individuals, and the surroundings.
“The Apprenticeship Levy system in its present kind makes it tough for companies who pay the Levy and SMEs, inside the environmental horticulture sector and past, to entry the funding they should tackle apprentices. We urge the federal government to decide to reforming the Levy in order that it could possibly change into a viable coaching possibility, as was initially meant. This, together with absolutely operational and accessible end-point assessments, will allow our apprentices to finish their coaching and take their place within the workforce.”
Geoff Caeser, Enterprise Improvement Director at Allensmore Nurseries, mentioned: “Apprenticeships are an enormous alternative for the enterprise and for the person learner. The problem is discovering the precise individuals. It’s a dedication and exhausting work when you’ve a job, however you get rewarded with each the qualification and the potential to maneuver on inside a enterprise. For these individuals who need careers in horticulture, from technical to gross sales, apprenticeships are an excellent approach to obtain this.”
The Affiliation of Skilled Landscapers (APL), a landscaping specialist group inside the HTA, runs a two-year apprenticeship program that sees present workers, in addition to new entrants into the business, endure sensible coaching led by business specialists.
Phil Tremayne, Basic Supervisor on the Affiliation of Skilled Landscapers (APL), mentioned: “Apprenticeships are a useful means of attracting new recruits into the sector, in addition to upskilling current expertise. Our apprenticeship program is designed by the business, for the business, and is regularly high quality assured by our group. Our members want all of the assist they will get from the federal government to have the ability to give their apprentices one of the best coaching attainable.”
A complete of 1,169 individuals began apprenticeships within the horticulture sector in 2021/22, a 6% improve from 1,105 in 20201. The arboriculture, forestry, horticulture & panorama trailblazer group – a gaggle made up of representatives from greater than 70 organizations, which has championed and coordinated apprenticeships within the sector since 2014 – has developed eight apprenticeship applications for the sector spanning a wide range of roles, together with arborists, forest operatives, enterprise directors and horticulture and panorama operatives and supervisors.
Nationwide Apprenticeship Week, promoted by The Division for Schooling, celebrates the achievements of apprentices across the UK and the optimistic impression they make on communities, companies, and the broader economic system. Nationwide Apprenticeship Week 2023 runs from 6 to 12 February.
For extra info
Horticultural Trades Affiliation
www.the-hta.org.uk
