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Replies

  • Your face has to fit at the NT!  I applied for a job at one of their estates once, it was a job that i was well qualified for and had experience and after spending many hours completing an application form i didn't even get invited to an interview.  When i phoned to ask for feedback i was told that my application was wooly!  

    They also have armies of free labour.

  • PRO
    It begs the question why they didn't just enroll him on a NVQ, don't they participate in staff training?

    Is it just easier to poach trained and qualified staff from elsewhere or was there some other underhanded scheme?

    Andy
  • PRO
    Could it be they want a team to come in and rapidly complete the grounds care on the holiday home change over days , rather than having a single gardener working away all week?

    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shute-barton/features/learn-about-...
    Visiting Shute
    Discover the history of Shute Barton, Devon.
    • You may well be right, he could have been a real pain who has been a chain around the HR departments neck for years.  The fact that its gone to the press answers loads of questions. 

  • The truth may well be that he was just "past it" for a physical job........ he had over 50 years experience so must have been getting on a bit............  and I'd guess that to get rid of him on the grounds he was too old could possibly have caused problems these days. As Ben says............. he could well have been a right pain and they just wanted to get shot of him.

  • PRO
    It's all about the health and safety. NT are a big company and have to cover themselves with serious health and safety for anyone working for them even as sub contractor. It was easier for them to use their own staff already covered. Sad but it's business for them.
  • Headline seems a bit misleading. From the article:

    "The spokesman added: “As with many jobs, different roles require different levels of skill and experience, shown on application by appropriate qualifications or equivalent levels of vocational experience. "

    Chainsaw tickets for example. Most likely he was getting on a bit and too set in his ways, having been in sole charge of the gardens for years.

    • It may have been that but my experiences with The National Trust suggests it is them saving money and relying on their reputation to pay gardeners less. Also in my experience gardeners 'getting on a bit' are often better than all of us. It is easy to knock them but my father who served as an apprentice gardener in the 1940s was as skilled in his 80s as when he was younger, and probably faster than many younger gardeners today. However, I'm not sure he would have worked well with The Trust as he wouldn't have left the job until it was looking perfect with a hand cut clean edge!
  • PRO
    Additional commentary on the state of play @ NT

    https://twitter.com/telegraphnews/status/899358643455369217
    Telegraph News on Twitter
    “'Left-leaning' National Trust head admits: 'We have alienated traditional members', after spate of controversies https://t.co/hy45z1rlXO”
  • PRO
    To quote the article referred to on Twitter "“The signs are that the National Trust is being turned into a branch of the leisure industry."

    I thought it already was, I wonder if the former owners of Shute Barton would have anticipated that the property would be turned into holiday let's with a minimal number of open days for the NT members and the public to view the property?

    Andy
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