Quadron Services' Birmingham Apprentice, Andy Pember, has just finished attending a two year apprenticeship at King's Heath Horticultural College, Birmingham, where he has been studying for a highly recognised National Certificate in Horticulture.
During his attendance, Andy has demonstrated a tremendous commitment in his personal development and his thirst for horticultural knowledge. To showcase his achievements, Andy has just designed and built what can only be described as a fantastic and imaginative show garden entitled "A Peace of the Country" at the prestigious NEC Gardeners' World Live Show, open from 10th to 14th June 2009.
Andy's design brief was to construct a recycled garden to create a natural grassy knoll in the middle of the countryside overlooking a small pond that provides the ideal resting point for weary walkers. His garden makes good use of sustainable planting, whilst a dragonfly hovers over the bull rushes: this being manufactured out of an old springbok rake, lawn edging shears, garden dutch hoe and car door sill. Again this centre piece was made from Andy's design by another highly trained member of Quadron Services, Alec Edwards.
Andy's "A Peace of the Country"
Quadron Services' Managing Director, Clive Ivil, was so impressed with Andy's enthusiasm that he has decided to enter Andy for the Horticulture Week Landscape & Amenity Awards 2009 for Apprentice/Trainee of the Year. These awards are for individual apprentices or trainees who have shown the most outstanding aptitude for and commitment to the role or sector in which they are being trained.
College Lecturer Mike Hinton of King's Heath Horticultural College said: "Birmingham City Council are proud of Andy for his achievement. His progress is a testament to the standard of apprentices who are currently training with the college. The course is producing highly trained craftspersons and we wish Andy the very best of luck in his future horticultural career with Quadron Services."
Andy said "I have really enjoyed the course and I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to study a subject I am passionate about. The skills I have learned will benefit both me and Quadron Services as I will use them on a daily basis.
The variety within the course was brilliant, I attend one day a week and it's not just about plants. There was a real mix of students on the course, we all support each other.
Hopefully I will be able to go on more training to further my knowledge and develop my career with Quadron Services."
