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A question Brian.
What job could they go on to do after they get a qualification? As your a maintenance company so wouldnt they have to do some sort of similar course?
I'd be more concerned about the little b*****d hiding chainsaws behind bushes to go and pick up later with his mates, gozzing in your cup of tea and constantly trying to sue you all the time than what he's going to do with the rest of his life.
I'm likely to go down this route so would be grateful if you could share any experiences - good or bad ?
briggsandscrapem said:
I've spoken to our local college and are going I see them about him on their apprentice open evening next week. They are planning to run a landscape aprentice course this year.
I have not had any such issues to date as implied above - its simply not been my experience.
I'll feed back once I've met the college.
P.s. to be honest. If I could find some else like him, they would be such a positive addition to my established guys.
I have to say, I don't hold such views. I enjoy having new 'blood' in the business and helping someone learn and come thru the ranks. I get immense pleasure from it.
I did similar (but without the apprenticeship scheme) 4 years ago. The guy came with some experience, is still with me and is a key member (and paid accordingly).
I don't consider it charity nor solving societies problems. They work for for they get.
I do however, consider it solving a business problem.
There seems to be a fair bit of form filling etc etc and just having someone work for one day a week would be more hassle than it's worth IMO. It would take them ages to get them up to speed too. Go full time or don't bother is my advice.
Our advert been out for week now and only had 1 enquiry, strange as I thought it was tough out there...
Hi Steve, I would be enrolling them on the NVQ Amenity Horticultural II course. Its a two year, day release course. I am nearing the end of my 2 year course doing the same, finish college in May. What I would be offering up in the first instance is a two year contract of employment for two days per week, 1 day college, 1 day out working with my squad, and during the summer when the college is finished for the holidays they would be out with the squad 2 days per week. When they complete the two years they will be finished up and hopefully get employment with the local council or another landscaping firm. Or if my business is busy enough then I could be in a position to offer them a further contract.
Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance said:
I think I have the knowledge and experience to interview and pick a suitable apprentice briggs. Yes there are some kids out there who would try to do you over, but there's a hellava lot more good honest kids just not getting a chance to. My community provides my business with work to employ staff and give them wages 12 months a year and it also affords myself a very good living, I just feel it would be good to give something back and there's not much better ways than giving a local youngster a hand up, rather than a hand out from the dole.
briggsandscrapem said:
Hi Paul, Im not doing this to make profit from them, that was never mentioned, I just want to put something back into my community that provides for me. MY intention IS for them to go and work for someone else, or themselves for that matter when they complete the 2 years. I don't see the time spent on them for training problematic either, whilst out with my other guys as the training load would be shared through my guys. Also I am not trying to solve societies problems, just help out a little. "older maturer staff with life experience" will not guarentee you a good worker, trust me I have had many staff over the years, from 16 through to 50 and they ALL present there own set of unique problems, that I can asure you of.
Paul @ PPCH Services said:
Hi Gary, age is no guarentee of how a person will be once you start them as Im sure you have already experienced as many staff issues over the years as I have. I think if I approch this right and word the advert properly describing the setup, then it might well work. If not then at least I have given it a go :-)
Keep me updated when you have spoken to college
Gary RK said: