Schoolchildren in Peterchurch in Hereford were able to find out all about a career in horticulture thanks to a nursery based in the area.
Two members of staff from Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford attended the careers evening at Fairfield High School to promote the horticultural industry and the apprenticeships available.
Wyevale Nurseries container despatch manager Julie Bailey explained: “Myself and Jackie Gunthorpe, who is a supervisor at our potting shed, were delighted to attend the careers evening at Fairfield High School.
“Our aim was to promote Wyevale Nurseries in terms of career aspirations for young people and to encourage them into horticulture. We wanted to get away from this persona of horticulture being for ‘old people’.
“We recently took on a former pupil at the school, 16-year-old Levina Bromwich. She is studying for a Level 2 Diploma in Production Horticulture. Levina has made a good impression with our team so we were keen to meet other pupils from the school.
“During the careers evening we talked to year nine, 10 and 11 students about their career aspirations and if they were not sure what they wanted to do we were on hand to talk to them about our training programme and what type of work they would be doing.
“We were also able to show them a power point presentation, where they could see the type of environment they would be working in. We had a great time at the event and it was great to meet pupils and promote our industry.”
Wyevale Nurseries’ main business is to supply garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.
Fairfield High School learning manager Pippa Hart said: “I would like to thank Julie and Jackie for attending our careers open evening and explaining to our pupils what exactly goes on at the nurseries. Some students may not have even thought about a career in horticulture so it is vital for us to offer them an insight in to the industry.
“It was also great to hear that one of our former pupils, Levina, is doing so well at the company within her apprenticeship.”
