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29th November 2006 Royal Parks awards contract to run new apprenticeship scheme The Royal Parks have awarded the contract to provide its new dedicated apprenticeship scheme to Capel Manor College. The Royal Parks Apprenticeship Scheme aims to produce qualified apprentices with the Royal Parks who are trained to a high standard and with excellent knowledge in horticulture, landscaping, conservation and urban park management. The Royal Parks aim to recruit 10 apprentices annually with each apprenticeship running for three years. Apprentices will be spread across the eight Royal Parks and be employed by the existing landscape maintenance contractors. At any one time, there will be up to 30 apprentices training in the system all working towards NVQ 2 and NVQ 3 in Amenity Horticulture and the Royal Horticultural Society Certificate (Level 2). The Apprenticeship Scheme is designed to deliver the wide range of skills and competences required by today's parks managers. It will cover a wide range of activities including fundraising, stakeholder management and complex contract and financial management in addition to horticultural management. Colin Buttery, Director of Parks at The Royal Parks said: "The human aspect of the horticultural sector is easily overlooked. The Royal Parks is working to make people aware of horticulture as a career choice, as well as improving the skills of those already within the industry. Career changers will also be welcomed as we are looking for aptitude rather than formal qualifications as our baseline". Speaking about the Royal Parks contractors who were supporting the scheme, Colin Buttery said; "Our apprenticeship scheme benefits from the enthusiastic support and industry expertise of our contracting partners Enterprise Plc, Fountains Plc, Turfsoil Ltd and Veolia Environmental Services." Capel Manor College are providing formal educational content by co-ordinating, administering and liaising with relevant partners and stakeholders. Speaking about being awarded the contract, Madeline Hall of Capel Manor College said; "We are proud to have been chosen to contribute to this exciting and prestigious project. The Royal Parks Apprenticeship Scheme provides excellent training opportunities, raising the profile of a work-based route to high quality and high level qualifications in the industry." The majority of the apprentices will be recruited from the 16-24 age range although older career changers will be considered according to their individual merits. A one-month probationary period will allow The Royal Parks to determine whether an apprentice has the necessary general skills and commitment to complete the scheme. Students with particular interests will, in their second and third years be encouraged to take further qualifications in areas such as estate management in Richmond or Bushy Park, or sports turf management in Regent's Park. One unique feature of the Apprenticeship scheme is the inclusion of an Apprentice Co-ordinator funded by Capel Manor College who will mentor the students through their training and also help to promote the scheme at external exhibitions and events. The Apprentice Co-ordinator will also encourage take-up by recruits from under-represented groups and communities. Apprentices completing their training will be awarded a special certificate by The Royal Parks to complement their nationally accredited qualifications. Media contacts: Bruce Sparrow, The Royal Parks, e-mail: bsparrow@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk, Tel: 020 7298 2128, Mob: 07970 660132. Editor's notes: 1. The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the DCMS. The parks are Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, St James's Park and Green Park, The Regent's Park with Primrose Hill, Richmond Park, Bushy Park and Greenwich Park. 2. Apprenticeship Scheme Contacts: Rob Dowling, Technical Officer, The Royal Parks: 020 7298 2119, Dennis Clarke, Senior Park Manager, The Royal Parks: 020 7298 2096, Ruth Holmes, Landscape Developments and Design Manager: 020 7298 2084 3. Capel Manor College holds DfES Beacon status and is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for Horticulture, landscaping and Garden Design. Capel Manor College Tel: 08456 122 122 E-mail: enquiries@capel.ac.uk 4. Millions of Londoners and tourists visit the eight Royal Parks for free each year. The 5,000 acres of carefully conserved historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital. The Royal Parks are Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park (with Primrose Hill), Richmond Park and St James's Park. back to top |
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