Following the release of the revised Level 2 Apprenticeship in
Horticulture/Landscape Construction Operative, the National Trust - in
partnership with Pershore and Plumpton Colleges and Lantra - have over the last three months
led the way in presenting their apprentices for their final end-point
assessments (EPA).
Lantra are the main awarding organisation responsible for administering
delivery of the end point assessment which has streamlined the assessment
process. It focusses on a range of practical skills being assessed in the
workplace after each apprentice has completed their course of training across
all areas of horticulture or landscape maintenance.
The National Trust have historic gardens across England and Wales and the
training of new horticulturists is an important part of developing expertise
going forward to look after these rich and diverse gardens.
Since Lantra’s revised EPA has gone live, a number of apprentices from some
of the best-known National Trust gardens have already successfully completed
demonstrating a high level of skills learnt in their workplaces.
The apprentices all undergo a wide range of practical skills in their
workplace alongside further training provided by Pershore and Plumpton Colleges
which provide the support and technical elements which complement the
apprentice’s on-site skills. The aim of this process is to produce highly
skilled horticulturists who will go on to become gardener’s working on National
Trust sites or in the industry more widely.
Matt Handy, Work Based Learning Manager at Pershore College, said: “It is a
privilege to work with the next generation of horticulturists, training them
whilst they work within the industry at a diverse selection of National Trust
properties. The revised standard now gives clarity to the tasks expected during
the EPA and the associated Lantra EPA Handbook is an invaluable resource for
both training provider and employer, detailing the EPA process"
Nir Halfon, Assistant curriculum manager for Horticulture, Plumpton College,
commented: “The new EPA process means that apprentices are better prepared and
confident. They leave the apprenticeship with a well-rounded set of knowledge,
skills and behaviours which improve their prospects for future career and
employment in horticulture”.
Lantra have a team of trained assessors whose role is to go out on site and
assess the apprentices demonstrating the skills they have learnt during their
apprenticeship and as an organisation it works closely with both training
providers such as Pershore and Plumpton Colleges and employer organisations
such as the National Trust. This process ensures that all apprentices reach the
desired standard to become the future of horticulture in the country.
Sarah Johnson, EPA Project Manager for Lantra, commented: “We are thrilled
to see the first few apprentices achieve their EPA on the revised standard,
which confirms that the revisions made help meet the changing needs of the
industry.”
Nigel Cox, Lead Assessor for Lantra, said: “Apprentices learn on the job the
skills they need in the horticulture industry and the new EPA process enables
them to demonstrate their abilities as they progress further. The horticulture
sector needs well- qualified people to drive the industry and this new standard
sets apprentices on their way”
