Teachers and parents should be aware of the sound opportunities in horticulture available to young people leaving full time education.
That’s the view of Lorna Howitt, who manages Spalding Horticultural Training Group in Spalding.
Lorna says the industry finds it difficult to recruit the right people, despite the fact that the career pathway open to new recruits is full of opportunities.
She said: “Some of our past apprentices have gone on to great things. Two of them are now directors of the companies they work in. They have opportunities to travel abroad to see how the horticultural industry operates in Europe and worldwide.
“Most of our other ex-students continue to work for the employer who took them on when leaving school and, with continual training in workplace skills, are now key members of the workforce.”
Lorna was talking after another batch of young people had been presented with diplomas and apprenticeship certificates.
These included Charlie Gaunt and Jedd Alexander-Brown, both employed at Wyeplants Ltd; Terry Dobbins, of Baytree Nurseries and Garden Centre; and W Crowder & Sons Ltd staff members Jason Todd and Ryan Donohue.
Lorna said: “If individuals are prepared to work hard, study hard and are motivated to achieve, there are many opportunities throughout the varied sectors of the industry.”