Replies to This Discussion

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on May 27, 2012 at 18:16

Several LJN members ( us included ) have taken in apprentices this year - a quick searchin LJN should reveal those threads.

There is a apprenticeship website www.apprenticeships.org.uk which explains the options - you can find one and get them on a scheme or they'll do a needs analysis and help you find someone.

Most ( up to 100% ) of course fees are offset ( depending on age, course etc)

For a limited time there is a one grant of £1500 payableto the employer to help.

Please, please do not consider as a route to chep labour as you 'can' pay them below normal NMW rates. I believe that's a lap in their face and gives little incentive or loyalty. We pay a fair rate based on age and experience.

I know some have then apprenticeships on and paid them ( I think £2.60 per hour) and older why they leave etc.

• ▶ Reply

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Tony Goodridge on May 28, 2012 at 23:10

I have both on my work force and to be honest they are both very useful.

The older experienced gardeners obviously are easier to employ as they know what they are doing but expect to pay a decent amount of money. i think as long as you respect and value their knowledge you will not have a problem with tension. After all you are the businessman the employees are the ones that should have the knowledge of the subject. I always try to employ people far superior to my own knowledge.

Apprentices are great as you can combine using them as cheap labour but making sure you teach them along the way, its about getting the balance right. one word of caution with apprentices though, you may have to kiss several frogs before you find your prince. 

I very often put my older experienced gardener with my apprentice and the balance works very well as the passion of the older rubs off on the younger.

I hope you find my comments helpful and good luck! 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on May 29, 2012 at 6:41

We haven't gone down the apprentice  route, but i had always thought that the low apprentice wage was to partly offset the time the employer will put into the 'partnership', taking time with structured education in employment.  Starting at the low point also gives plenty of room for manoeuvre as skill levels rise, which would also be part of the education - ie the more you put in - the more you get out. 

Maybe that's just my old fashioned wiew.

Gary @ 360 said:

Please, please do not consider as a route to chep labour as you 'can' pay them below normal NMW rates. I believe that's a lap in their face and gives little incentive or loyalty. We pay a fair rate based on age and experience.

I know some have then apprenticeships on and paid them ( I think £2.60 per hour) and older why they leave etc.

• ▶ Reply

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on May 29, 2012 at 9:20

Sorry for the missed words / poor spelling in my post above - iPhone 'feature' ;-)

I'm not suggesting anyone pay them at full rates, but our guy massively contributes to the business already. He's conscientious, prompt, a live wire which keeps us all on our toes. He questions what we do and why based on what he has learnt at college, which is one day per week.

I could not and will not use him purely as cheap labour and pay £2.60 per hour - perhaps that is just me? You get his college fees paid up to 100%, with a £1500 grant available to offset any 'other costs'.

I'm sure someone can quote NMW for various ages and in my mind that is a sensible starting point, not the paltry apprentice rate.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on May 29, 2012 at 16:58

As a matter of interest Gary, do you have to work to a curriculum of sorts or does he just work and learn on site with the jobs you happen to be doing, leaving the teaching side to the college?

I know exactly what you mean about the 'live-wire' aspect.  We have always employed a youngster, most just want to 'give it a go' for a year and move on.  Some have been great company and others not so.................. but that's life!

• ▶ Reply

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on May 29, 2012 at 18:23

He has a defined curriculum for college work, with 'projects' that we fit into our normal work....ie as part of a business park blitz, he was given a section to assess, then define a plan of action, then action it. This included ripping out, making good, planting layout, planting, watering, mulching, etc.

One of us monitors what's goes on and are always within ear shot.

We get to know what they are up to at college in advance, so look for opportunities for him to exploit hs training, but we do get to 'mould' him ;-)

• ▶ Reply

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on May 29, 2012 at 18:28

Here are some previous discussions: Apprenticeships

• ▶ Reply

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Tony Goodridge on May 29, 2012 at 22:44

Gary I completely agree with you, they certainly do keep you on your toes, my apprentice is already working sites on his own and is on more than the min wage for his age group. I refer to my previous statement though, I had several frogs before I found this one. He is a real asset to the firm and is missed when he goes to college for his block weeks.
We always try to teach him something new every day and we take pictures of him doing it so he can add it to his portfolio.
I have missed out on the grant which is a shame because it does cost money to get all the equipment he needs and the time to train them to use machinery and how to do certain jobs is very often dead time.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion