Glendale lays groundwork for new apprenticeships

Green services specialist Glendale is helping to spearhead the development of a new nationwide apprenticeship scheme for the arboriculture, horticulture and forestry industries under the Government’s Trailblazer scheme.

Glendale is partnering with Bartlett Tree Experts and leading industry names including the British Association of Landscape Industries, the Forestry Commission, the Arboriculture Association and the Horticulture Trades Association, to develop draft standards for the new apprenticeship scheme.

The standards, known as Trailblazers, have been developed as a result of a government review which found there were key areas of the existing apprenticeship programme where substantial improvements could be made.

John McKenna, regional manager at Glendale, sits on the sub and principal group of the scheme, and it will submit its new standard to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills for assessment on May 7.

John said: “The forestry, arboriculture, horticulture and landscape industries will benefit significantly from the new apprenticeships which are designed to supply businesses with new, high-quality talent.  Our role in the development of the draft standard is a great opportunity for us to be involved in the creation of a new apprenticeship standard from the ground up.

“Glendale is celebrating its 25th year of operation this year and our expertise in the green environment makes us well placed to offer important input into the creation of the standard and influence the way the industry develops in the future.  We’re also committed to employing apprentices and these changes have motivated us to ensure the arboriculture, horticulture and forestry industries benefit from the re-design.”

In 2013, the Government announced significant reforms to apprenticeships meaning that the current apprenticeship framework will disappear by 2016.  The transition between the existing programme and the new approach is being led by Trailblazers – groups of employers working together to design new standards for occupations in their sectors.

The new standard will ensure apprenticeships are more rigorous and responsive to the needs of employers, as well as outline the key competencies, skills and knowledge required for apprentices.

Employer-led apprentices will serve to produce a fresh supply of talented entrants to all major UK industries, address recruitment issues, and offer economic benefits to businesses.