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  Claire Brown February 13, 2011 at 8:00pm

  You may be able to do it the other way round, - get a student that is already learning.

   

  Why don't you contact your local horticultural college, - some of the courses need students to do one day's experience per week, - if you can prove that you are a reputable business and comply with health and safety, they may have a student that suits your needs, - bear in mind that they will probably be school leaving age or under 20, and so may need transport, - that was the sticking point for me.

   

  If you need to advertise in the local paper, I found that humour worked very well - I asked for someone  who could dig, rake, weed, and mow with a smile on their face.
• 

  Mark Bain February 13, 2011 at 8:13pm

  Sounds good, and didn't think of that option.

  I've been browsing the web and found some usefull info here:

   http://www.lantra.co.uk/Business/Fund-Finder/Adopt-an-Apprentice.aspx

  I've sent them an e-mail for further information. The thing is, I'm sure when I served my apprenticeship at the local golf club, I went to college and the fees were around £3,000 (i think but could be wrong). As a small business, I couldnt afford that. I don't know if I would have to fund an appentices' college/qualifications?

  I like the idea of a student at one or two days a week experiance. There is a college that have horticulture courses available down the road from me (about 10-15 miles or so). I think an e-mail to them could be in order.

  Thank you Claire.

   

  Regards,

   

  Mark Bain
• 

  Mark Brierley February 13, 2011 at 8:33pm

  I have 1 x apprentice and is fine and learning
  The thing is that you will require a full health and safety policy in place to take one on and also take into consideration that you will not be allowed to have the youngster doing certain tasks.
  Speak to your local collage for advise.
  I went through 3 youngsters before finding one that was wanting to commit to learning properly.
  It's frustrating until youbfind the right person.
• PRO

  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk February 13, 2011 at 9:06pm

  Hi Mark, I have my son as an apprentice, and get full funding for him through Government grants. I have never been asked for any H & S stuff( SAFEcontractor accredited and have all the H & S docs if I am asked) from the college regarding this but might be different down south. Personally I wouldn't go down the route of work experience students, I tried it, complete waste of time and effort, more of a hindrance than a help because they are always asking stuff rather than doing stuff ??. Getting a keen and enthusiastic apprentices is also difficult but a far better and more satisfying route IMO. If you do need a H & S policy if you decide to go that route there are plenty of guys on here that can help you with it.

  regards
  
  Mark Bain said:

  Sounds good, and didn't think of that option.

  I've been browsing the web and found some usefull info here:

   http://www.lantra.co.uk/Business/Fund-Finder/Adopt-an-Apprentice.aspx

  I've sent them an e-mail for further information. The thing is, I'm sure when I served my apprenticeship at the local golf club, I went to college and the fees were around £3,000 (i think but could be wrong). As a small business, I couldnt afford that. I don't know if I would have to fund an appentices' college/qualifications?

  I like the idea of a student at one or two days a week experiance. There is a college that have horticulture courses available down the road from me (about 10-15 miles or so). I think an e-mail to them could be in order.

  Thank you Claire.

   

  Regards,

   

  Mark Bain
• 

  Boxelder Landscapes February 14, 2011 at 6:52am

  Hi Mark,

  Please post the results of your enquiry to lantra as I would be very interested to find out more about this scheme.

  Thanks
  
  Mark Bain said:

  Sounds good, and didn't think of that option.

  I've been browsing the web and found some usefull info here:

   http://www.lantra.co.uk/Business/Fund-Finder/Adopt-an-Apprentice.aspx

  I've sent them an e-mail for further information. The thing is, I'm sure when I served my apprenticeship at the local golf club, I went to college and the fees were around £3,000 (i think but could be wrong). As a small business, I couldnt afford that. I don't know if I would have to fund an appentices' college/qualifications?

  I like the idea of a student at one or two days a week experiance. There is a college that have horticulture courses available down the road from me (about 10-15 miles or so). I think an e-mail to them could be in order.

  Thank you Claire.

   

  Regards,

   

  Mark Bain
• 

  Donny Bryan February 14, 2011 at 7:27pm

  Coincidentally we're looking into this at the moment. We have a young trainee who has been with us on the future jobs fund and his placement ends soon.

   

  If the apprentice is aged 16 to 18 then full funding is available for their college attendance. However, you do have to employ them and pay minimum wage, NI, etc - there is a reduced rate for year 1 of £95 per week but from year 2 onwards it goes back to minimum wage for their age.

   

  If the apprentice is over 18 then unfortunately there is also a contribution to their college fees. Ours falls into this category which makes a standard apprenticeship unworkable for us.

   

  However, if you are a hard landscaper then you may fall within the CITB scheme. This offers a grant/levy for their attendance and achievement which works out at about £5k across 2 years and if they are the apprenticeship provider then they will also cover the college fees. Currently investigating this further. You do have to register with CITB and fill in their annual levey form but provided your payroll is less than £80k p.a. you won't have to contribute.

   

  If anyone knows of any other funded schemes that would help us keep our 2 trainees at the end of their placements we'd welcome the information.