Apprenticeship in Amenity Horticulture

06 January 2014

A new Apprenticeship programme at Level 2 (craft level) is now available to employers within the horticulture sector through DARD which is funded by the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL). The Apprenticeship scheme is not available to public sector organisations. DEL and LANTRA (formally the Sector Skills Council for Horticulture), have produced an Apprenticeship framework, which will allow employees to gain valuable vocational qualifications and work related skills in the sports turf, landscaping and production sectors.

Private sector employers can use Apprenticeships to train both new and existing staff. The Apprenticeship makes use of nationally recognised qualifications as well as useful skills- specific short courses to provide on-the-job training for staff. Training generally takes place over two years. Individuals can sometimes complete sooner depending on the level of skill and experience of the apprentice and the opportunities available to learn in the workplace.

The college will provide the knowledge and  skills training while the employer supports this  by providing hands-on practical experience.  Off-the-job technical training will be delivered on a day-release and sometimes block release basis at Greenmount Campus or other centres. Essential Skills training will be delivered at Greenmount Campus or more local to  the workplace.

CAFRE will work with each interested  employer to:

·         explain the way that Apprenticeships will work and the funding available

·         help recruit an Apprentice or support existing staff into Apprenticeships

·         agree a training plan with the  employer/apprentice

·         manage the training and evaluation ensuring that National quality  standards are met

·         deliver training in line with the  DEL framework

Further information can be found on the attached brochure and from the CAFRE website