| Subject: |
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Re: wanted : paid apprenticeship in an organic kitchen garden. |
| Name: |
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Fenella Lewin |
| Date Posted: |
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Mar 26, 07 - 7:09 AM |
| Email: |
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hello@fenellasgarden.co.uk |
| Website: |
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http://www.fenellasgarden.co.uk |
| Message: |
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This is a major problem from both sides of the fence (or wall). Get any growers of veg together and you hear the same complaint, not least as hort courses these days seem concerned only with amenity hort (grass cutting) and garden design, and not with practical growing skills, and one offering market gardening is very rare indeed. It seems the apprenticeship scheme currently in force (not unreasonably) requires the employer to provide training as well as work experience, but if there isn't a relevant external course and the employer isn't an accredited training provider this rules out the financial and practical help for employers that would otherwise be available.
The fact is that increasing numbers of the young-ish market gardeners out here have no formal training (I have an o-level in gardening and some might say it shows)and have just gathered experience in their own gardens and by working in other market gardens. I am not defending it but given the lack of training for growing food it is the only way for most of us. I would suggest looking for short term jobs in suitable gardens, that way you build up some experience, and taking any less formal training opportunities that come your way (for instance the Soil Association do lots of useful day courses all over the place).
By the way whereabouts are you in the country?
Fen |
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