The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has welcomed a new programme within Council which will see a wave of recruitment for Apprentices within the Horticulture Sector.
In collaboration with the North West Regional College (NWRC), Derry City and Strabane District Council will venture on a phase of recruitment for Apprentices across the Horticulture industry in the city and district.
The opportunity will offer young people to earn while they learn and gain recognised qualifications through the partnership with NWRC, work with experienced staff within a local business and develop their skills.
Focussing on the fundamental practical skills in horticulture, the learner will be able to learn new skills such as planting out, preparing ground, pruning, pest and disease identification, or propagating from seed.
The programme will include a Level 2 City & Guilds Practical Horticulture Certificate in Year 1, followed by the completion of additional units in Year 2 to gain the full Diploma qualification.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue, said she was delighted to launch to recruitment process and highlighted the benefits of the programme.
“I am a huge supporter of the ongoing Apprenticeship Programme within Council and the vast array of benefits it can bring not only the apprentices but the overall economy and business landscape within the city and district.
“It is fantastic to see young people getting the opportunity to learn new skills while still earning a wage and continuing to support themselves throughout their education.
“An Apprenticeship programme like this caters to the demands of the employer as well as the needs of anyone looking for a new career.
“Whether you’re a young person about to leave school or someone who wants a career change, not everyone can afford to give up their work and go into education full time.
“I would love to see more local businesses offer this opportunity and avail of the huge amount of benefits.”
John Cartin, Deputy Head of Department for Training & Skills at North West Regional College, said they were delighted to partner with Council and develop the course to meet the needs of the industry at present.
“We have been developing this programme over the past number of months to meet the needs of industry across the Horticulture Sector including the Council.
“After discussions with the industry we will also be tailoring this programme to include a number of LANTRA courses and more importantly offering essential skills in English and Maths to all students who come on the programme without these.
“This collaboration is a great example of how the FE sector and industry are working on innovative ways to create opportunities for the young people of the area and giving them the qualifications to go further in their chosen career paths.”
John Quinn, Streetscape Manager within the Environment & Regeneration Department in Council, welcomed the collaboration and looks forward to working with the group of new Apprentices.
“We want to bring young, fresh talent who are passionate about the job and want to learn on the ground.
“The benefits for young people and employers are vast and the feedback we have received in the past, from both the industry professionals involved and the apprentices, is phenomenal.
“Not only will these young people gain recognised qualifications, but they will also be entering into their new career path with an already developed skill set and a confidence to get stuck into the role.
“We’re really excited for this partnership with NWRC and are looking forward to seeing it progress over the years.”
For those individuals who do not meet the apprenticeship criteria, there are other funding routes available to support those who are aged over 18, living in Northern Ireland and looking to upskill, as well as funding available for Social Enterprises and businesses in Northern Ireland with less than 250 employees through the Department for the Economy.
For more information on how to apply, please visit: https://www.nwrc.ac.uk/courses/practical-horticulture-skills-level-2-certificate
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