Replies to This Discussion

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance on January 29, 2012 at 12:25

A question Brian.

What job could they go on to do after they get a qualification? As your a maintenance company so wouldnt they have to do some sort of similar course?

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Permalink Reply by briggsandscrapem on January 29, 2012 at 12:41

I'd be more concerned about the little b*****d hiding chainsaws behind bushes to go and pick up later with his mates, gozzing in your cup of tea and constantly trying to sue you all the time than what he's going to do with the rest of his life.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on January 29, 2012 at 13:25

Guys, have you had bad experiences of this situation?

I'm likely to go down this route so would be grateful if you could share any experiences - good or bad ?

briggsandscrapem said:

I'd be more concerned about the little b*****d hiding chainsaws behind bushes to go and pick up later with his mates, gozzing in your cup of tea and constantly trying to sue you all the time than what he's going to do with the rest of his life.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on January 29, 2012 at 13:28

Brian, I've been having similar views. We started a young lad before Xmas, he's worked out really well. He's not academic, no quals but so so wants to learn.

I've spoken to our local college and are going I see them about him on their apprentice open evening next week. They are planning to run a landscape aprentice course this year.

I have not had any such issues to date as implied above - its simply not been my experience.

I'll feed back once I've met the college.

P.s. to be honest. If I could find some else like him, they would be such a positive addition to my established guys.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on January 29, 2012 at 14:31

I have to say, I don't hold such  views. I enjoy having new 'blood' in the business and helping someone learn and come thru the ranks. I get immense pleasure from it.

I did similar (but without the apprenticeship scheme) 4 years ago. The guy came with some experience, is still with me and is a key member (and paid accordingly).

I don't consider it charity nor solving societies problems. They work for for they get.

I do however, consider it solving a business problem.

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Permalink Reply by Select Gardens on January 29, 2012 at 18:05

We are taking on an apprentice this year for the first time and I can see many benefits for my company.

There seems to be a fair bit of form filling etc etc and just having someone work for one day a week would be more hassle than it's worth IMO. It would take them ages to get them up to speed too. Go full time or don't bother is my advice.

Our advert been out for week now and only had 1 enquiry, strange as I thought it was tough out there...

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Brian www.mibservices.co.uk on January 29, 2012 at 20:16

Hi Steve, I would be enrolling them on the NVQ Amenity Horticultural II course. Its a two year, day release course. I am nearing the end of my 2 year course doing the same, finish college in May. What I would be offering up in the first instance is a two year contract of employment for two days per week, 1 day college, 1 day out working with my squad, and during the summer when the college is finished for the holidays they would be out with the squad 2 days per week. When they complete the two years they will be finished up and hopefully get employment with the local council or another landscaping firm. Or if my business is busy enough then I could be in a position to offer them a further contract.

 

Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance said:

A question Brian.

What job could they go on to do after they get a qualification? As your a maintenance company so wouldnt they have to do some sort of similar course?

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Brian www.mibservices.co.uk on January 29, 2012 at 20:22

I think I have the knowledge and experience to interview and pick a suitable apprentice briggs. Yes there are some kids out there who would try to do you over, but there's a hellava lot more good honest kids just not getting a chance to. My community provides my business with work to employ staff and give them wages 12 months a year and it also affords myself a very good living, I just feel it would be good to give something back and there's not much better ways than giving a local youngster a hand up, rather than a hand out from the dole.

briggsandscrapem said:

I'd be more concerned about the little b*****d hiding chainsaws behind bushes to go and pick up later with his mates, gozzing in your cup of tea and constantly trying to sue you all the time than what he's going to do with the rest of his life.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Brian www.mibservices.co.uk on January 29, 2012 at 20:31

Hi Paul, Im not doing this to make profit from them, that was never mentioned, I just want to put something back into my community that provides for me. MY intention IS for them to go and work for someone else, or themselves for that matter when they complete the 2 years. I don't see the time spent on them for training problematic either, whilst out with my other guys as the training load would be shared through my guys. Also I am not trying to solve societies problems, just help out a little. "older maturer staff with life experience" will not guarentee you a good worker, trust me I have had many staff over the years, from 16 through to 50 and they ALL present there own set of unique problems, that I can asure you of. 

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

The problem is you are likely to need to spend a lot of effort supervising and training them, by the time they get good (ie making a profitable contribution) they will most likely either move on or go self employed.

I prefer older mature staff with life experience and this is the route I'm going down. Mind you my desire is to make money not solve societys problems.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Brian www.mibservices.co.uk on January 29, 2012 at 20:35

Hi Gary, age is no guarentee of how a person will be once you start them as Im sure you have already experienced as many staff issues over the years as I have. I think if I approch this right and word the advert properly describing the setup, then it might well work. If not then at least I have given it a go :-)

Keep me updated when you have spoken to college

Gary RK said:

Brian, I've been having similar views. We started a young lad before Xmas, he's worked out really well. He's not academic, no quals but so so wants to learn.

I've spoken to our local college and are going I see them about him on their apprentice open evening next week. They are planning to run a landscape aprentice course this year.

I have not had any such issues to date as implied above - its simply not been my experience.

I'll feed back once I've met the college.

P.s. to be honest. If I could find some else like him, they would be such a positive addition to my established guys.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Brian www.mibservices.co.uk on January 29, 2012 at 20:47

Hi James, there is only one or two forms to fill out, nothing major, though there is the requirement to have a young persons RAMS if they are under 18, but thats not a problem. I'm not worried about how long it takes for them to get up to speed either, its a two year deal I'm offering so plenty time to get them up and running. Kids are leaving school with no chance of getting work, if more small businesses had a look at this idea and acted on it then maybe it wouldn't be all doom and gloom for them, or us for that matter. I'm pleased you are taking on an apprentice this year, but there's more that SME's can do without it breaking the bank, and this is just one idea. I'm also going to have a word with the other landscaping businesses that I know to try and get day placements with them sorted out, so the apprentice may well do 3-4 days a week, just another avenue I'm looking down.

Select Gardens said:

We are taking on an apprentice this year for the first time and I can see many benefits for my company.

There seems to be a fair bit of form filling etc etc and just having someone work for one day a week would be more hassle than it's worth IMO. It would take them ages to get them up to speed too. Go full time or don't bother is my advice.

Our advert been out for week now and only had 1 enquiry, strange as I thought it was tough out there...

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on January 30, 2012 at 11:49

Good on you Brian.  I am sure that you will get the right person and with the right guidance they will fast become a valued member of your team.  We were all young once and needed that first step / helping hand and as long as we don't teat them as dog bodies but use their talent constructively the benefits will be 10 fold to all parties.

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