A pair of budding gardeners are learning new horticultural skills by working as apprentices in Manchester City Council’s parks.

Holly Granville, aged 19, is working in Gorton’s Debdale Park, while Michael Garnett, aged 20, is based in Heaton Park.

The pair, who started work earlier this month, will spend the next three years developing horticultural skills such as planting and pruning flowers and shrubs, as well as learning mechanical skills such as driving specialist vehicles.

They will also spend one day per week at Arden College in Wythenshawe, and will get an NVQ qualification in horticulture at the end of their apprenticeship.

Both had a keen interest in horticulture before taking on their apprenticeships. Michael, from Newton Heath, has worked with the Newton Heath Eco Youth group, and with Manchester In Bloom groups, while Holly enjoyed gardening at her home in Levenshulme.

The training forms part of the Helping Hands initiative, led by Manchester City Council and its partners, which helps both residents and businesses deal with the effects of the economic downturn.

Labour Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “It’s great that we’re able to take these young people on board. We can benefit from their enthusiasm and their eagerness to learn, while they can develop new skills that will be invaluable in their chosen careers.

“Horticulture is becoming a very popular area, and we had a lot of very talented people apply to take up this apprenticeship, so we’re hoping we’ll be able to offer similar schemes in the future.”

For more Manchester City Council news releases visit:
www.manchester.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

Helping Hands highlights the huge range of services, advice and support available across the city and the opportunities available. It will include providing a series of communications that bring together useful information on employment, housing matters, small businesses and debt and money issues.
 
For more information visit: www.manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands