Following the successful launch of the arborist, forest operative and horticulture and landscape operative apprenticeships in England, earlier this year, the employer-led partnership behind the initiative is now asking the question, does industry require apprenticeships for managerial or advanced technical roles?
The trailblazer partnership, which includes 50 industry employers, is now investigating if there is demand for managerial or advanced technical apprenticeships, by consulting with employers in the sector, to determine if new apprenticeships are necessary, and what skills they should contain.
A coalition of arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and landscape industries have already been successfully developing apprenticeship standards since 2015, under the new process, often known as ‘trailblazer’.
Trailblazers continue to be at the forefront of Government apprenticeship reforms in England and apprentices are now being recruited to the three new standards, which were announced in the summer. A fourth apprenticeship standard for horticulture and landscape supervisor, is currently in the approval process.
Simon Rotheram, managing director of Beechwood Trees, commented “It is vital that the industry provides feedback on the requirement of a new apprenticeship for managers. A lack of informed response now, may result in the wrong decision being made for future generations, resulting in a major skills gap for supervisor level arborists, and other supervisory industry roles, looking to develop their careers into more managerial positions.”
If you think your organisation might benefit from an apprenticeship for managers or advanced technicians, it is imperative that you complete the questionnaire, before the 2nd January.
The survey can be accessed here surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8FT53WY
Your responses will help determine what decisions are taken by the group for the future of apprenticeships in our industries.
