Bradford Garden Centre takes on first apprentice

by | Oct 23, 2020 | News | 0 comments

Apprentice

Management at a Bradford Garden Centre are continuing to invest in their team with the appointment of its first apprentice.

The People and Culture team at Tong Garden Centre have partnered with Shipley College to bring in 16 year old Alfie Taylor as a Plants Apprentice.

Mr. Taylor attends college one day a week to study for a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative qualification and works four days a week with the Plants team at the Tong Lane centre.

Of the appointment, Head of People and Culture, Neil Barwise-Carr said: “We were conscious that we needed people in our Plants team who are excited and passionate about working with plants, so we thought what better than to bring in someone who is eager and enthusiastic about learning, not just from college, but from those around them?

“We’ve noticed, in just a few days, that the rest of the team are enthused by having an apprentice on board, who they can help coach and mentor along the way. Hopefully this will pave the way for more apprentices in other areas of the business.”

Former Morley Academy pupil Mr. Taylor said: “I’m grateful to be given this opportunity. Apprenticeships are a great way to put what you learn at college into practice in a work situation and to gain from the expertise of the team. I’m really excited to be working at Tong.”

Mr. Barwise-Carr concludes: “Alfie is exactly the kind of apprentice we were looking for, in that his personality and approach to work is aligned to our core values of Positive, Honest, Respectful, Accountable, Excellence and Team.”

The People and Culture team have also supported another member of the Plants team, Matthew Inman with a Level 3 qualification in Horticultural Practice and Principles and are currently in talks with Leeds College about joinery apprenticeship opportunities for their Maintenance Assistant.

Tong Garden Centre occupies a 19 acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire’s biggest independent garden centres with 125,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars.

Located in the World Heritage Site of Saltaire, Shipley College is rated  Grade 2 ‘Good’ by Ofsted and provides education and training to meet the needs of individuals, businesses and communities.  

more latest news ➡

Bradford garden centre group wins award

Bradford garden centre group wins community award

The team at a Bradford-based garden centre group is celebrating after winning a regional business award. Yorkshire Garden Centres, owner of Tong, Tingley, Bingley and Otley Garden Centres, won the Community category of the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business...

Feverfew launched new gardening apparel for women

Meet the supplier: Feverfew Garden Co

Taking the gardening glove market by storm, Feverfew Garden Co is the UK’s first garden wear brand exclusively designed for women, by women. Garden Centre Retail catches up with Rachel Eunson, the driving force behind the brand. As with many recent ventures,...

HSBC economist

Ex HSBC economist to speak at GCA conference 2024

Former HSBC Head of Economics will be helping delegates at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference understand the resurgence of inflation and the challenges that it continues to bring (January 28 until 31, 2024). Mark Berrisford-Smith, who worked...

Primeur Whiskey Barrel

Primeur launches new range of recycled planters

Looking to the 2024 season, garden retailers can step up their sustainability game and enhance their outdoor offer with a brand-new Primeur range of recycled planter designs and colourways. If you are keen to stay ahead of the curve and meet the increasing demand...

Sustainable pest control launched on GROW platform

GCA GROW launches sustainable pest control course

Garden centre staff can now gain knowledge to help customers to deter and combat pests in a more natural, sustainable way via the GCA GROW (Garden Retail Online Workshops) e-Learning platform. The organisation has launched its new Sustainable Pest Control course....

Rising stars with Gordon Emslie

Rising Stars finalists announced

Five individuals from GCA member garden centres have reached the finals of the industry body’s Rising Stars programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture. The staff were put forward by their garden centres and took part in a series of workshops this year. GCA...

Read GCR's latest edition!

Subscribe ToThe Wednesday Word

Subscribe To
The Wednesday Word

 

Get all the latest news, events & more straight to your inbox every Wednesday.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This