Spotlight on Apprenticeships

Inspirational land-based apprentices at Capel Manor College showcased their skills at the start of Apprenticeship Week when they were visited by Shadow Skills Minister, John Hayes MP.John Hayes MP visited Capel Manor College yesterday to meet a range of apprentices for whom an apprenticeship has been a life changing experience.For 27-year-old ex-offender Lee Catterick, who works for Serco in the London Borough of Newham, the horticulture apprenticeship is more of a milestone that has become the foundation of a new life: “When I was in prison I realised it wasn’t the place for me but I made the most of it. I did a lot of courses and talked to people about what I could do next. I enjoy gardening but this is better because as an apprentice I’m learning a skilled trade - a recognised trade – and earning while I’m learning.John Hayes MP said: “Land-based training is vitally important. There is increasing interest within many areas of the land-based industries including garden design, animal care and arboriculture – they are all important, and not just to the countryside. Meeting these apprentices has shown how the college offers lots of opportunities and practical skills which are immensely valuable and make a difference. Land-based training has always been relevant but it is now more relevant than ever.”Dr Stephen Dowbiggin, Chief Executive of Capel Manor College said: “Capel Manor has developed its apprenticeship scheme in association with employers and they offer opportunity for individuals to change their lives. In horticulture and arboriculture (Trees and Timber) many of the entrants are adults alongside younger entrants. The adult apprenticeship scheme offers potential to reengage people for worthwhile and engaging long term careers.”However Lantra’s Chief Executive Peter Martin expressed concern: “The inspiring individuals that John Hayes met today have all demonstrated that apprenticeships are a valuable stepping stone to a career. We would like to offer this opportunity to even more people.One key problem is that over 96% of environmental and land-based businesses employ fewer than 10 people and are increasingly specialist in nature. They cannot therefore offer the range of experiences needed to cover an apprenticeship programme.Over the years, the network of land-based colleges and specialist providers have developed many innovative approaches to overcome this, such as programme-led apprenticeships.Peter continued: “Much as our businesses would like to offer more apprenticeships, it is becoming increasing difficult for them to do so. From next year for example, all new apprentices will have to be employed directly by an employer which means that these innovative schemes will no longer be funded.”“This vital sector which manages our natural environment and produces the food we eat, needs a policy framework that is responsive to employers needs and not restrictive.”To find out more about Natalie, Lee, apprenticeships and funding support available, go to: www.lantra.co.uk/Apprenticeship-Week-2010 or call 0845 707 8007.
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Tim Bucknall posted a discussion
What do people find is the best lawn turf?  I use Rolawn Medallion.  Sometimes it's excellent, sometimes less so (in particular it can contain AMG).  What have people found consistently good?Cheers
5 hours ago
Andrew Coates replied to Andrew Coates's discussion Hadn’t prepared for this
"Morning Peter.thankyou for your reply. The op delay was out of my hands unfortunately,admin in the hospitals had got lost,that's from last June unfortunately.so,moving forward, I'm not ,I'm still on a waiting list to see the surgeon,so in the…"
5 hours ago
John F replied to Peter sellers's discussion Stihl hsa40 review
"Seems good value Peter having Two batteries .
Suffering from bouts of tennis elbow it would have being ideal at the time , The lightest I could find was the Gtech weighing around 2.14 kg with battery in which enabled me to carry on working .
It's…"
7 hours ago
Peter sellers posted a discussion
Thought others may find this of use - suffering from health issues so bought Stihl HSA 40 battery hedge trimmer came as a kit with two AS2 batteries and charger for £174 inc vat ,weighs  just over 2kg which was the main factor.Being used to Echo…
7 hours ago
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Cordless hedge cutter
"Update - well took myself off to dealers to try the aforementioned Stihl HLA 40 and found it to be totally unbalanced front end heavy with the rubber sleeve for your supporting arm too far away from the trigger basically a design disaster. We know…"
10 hours ago
Andrew Coates and Max alam are now friends
23 hours ago
Fusion Media posted a blog post
KAR UK has announced the launch of its brand-new K-Series Hose Reel Trolley – a robust, British-built solution designed to meet the demands of modern turf care and industrial washdown applications.Handmade in the UK by a local manufacturing partner…
yesterday
Billybop replied to Peter sellers's discussion Cordless hedge cutter
"quite fancy that Stihl 150B looks good but £700 would only use it very occasionally on the jobs I have already (due to lack of time had to cut down on existing work and not really taking on new jobs) Had the HLA135 for a few seasons now which is a…"
yesterday
Sam Bainbridge replied to Peter sellers's discussion Cordless hedge cutter
"I use a tripod ladder with a stihl hs87t 40inch bar. Makes a far superior job than long reach I hate those bloody things horrible to use"
Sunday
Graham Taylor replied to Andrew Coates's discussion Hadn’t prepared for this
"That really is very sad to have to stop the work you must enjoy.  I'd be really upset and I'm 72!   Don't like to sound pessimistic but would it be an  idea to just pack up the gardening work for something less physically draining?  Might be wrong…"
Saturday
simon caine replied to Peter sellers's discussion Cordless hedge cutter
"I use the Sthil combi unit with the henchmen harness it's a excellent combination you can hedge cut all day with no fatigue "
Saturday
John F replied to Andrew Coates's discussion Hadn’t prepared for this
"Hi Andrew 
A simple approach would be to find the right domestic properties where you can job share and invoice the customer separately .
You are probably looking at the larger gated properties where you can multi task but allocate your individual…"
Saturday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
At Centurion Club in St Albans, course manager Andy Garland knows every inch of the golf course because he helped build it from the ground up. Today, as the club continues to host some of the biggest events in professional golf, Andy relies on…
Friday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
GroundsFest is delighted to announce an expanded partnership with the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), which will see the organisation again become the exclusive sponsor of The Landscape Zone at GroundsFest 2026.The strengthened…
Friday
Richard Taylor posted a blog post
You’re invited to the biggest one-day “Live-and-Running” Ground Care and Turf Machinery show in the country on Wednesday 24th June in Buckinghamshire.See and compare machinery from over 40 manufacturers of mowers, turf care equipment, hand-held kit,…
Friday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Cordless hedge cutter
"Telescopic, cordless Tim its only for light work. Probably end up with Stihl HLA 40 it does not have the motor at the handle end but only weighs 3.5kg with battery so may be ok. Apart from the Stihl 150  that Billybop suggested I can't see anything,…"
Thursday
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Turf

What do people find is the best lawn turf?  I use Rolawn Medallion.  Sometimes it's excellent, sometimes less so (in particular it can contain AMG).  What have people found consistently good?Cheers

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0 Replies
Views: 7

Stihl hsa40 review

Thought others may find this of use - suffering from health issues so bought Stihl HSA 40 battery hedge trimmer came as a kit with two AS2 batteries and charger for £174 inc vat ,weighs  just over 2kg which was the main factor.Being used to Echo…

Read more…
1 Reply · Reply by John F 7 hours ago
Views: 21

Cordless hedge cutter

Looking for cordless hedge cutter with the motor at the battery/handle end and telescopic . Find the ones with the motor at the blade end unbalanced, and before anyone says it - no the battery does not counter balance it well.  Not bothered on brand.

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8 Replies · Reply by Peter sellers 10 hours ago
Views: 318