Quadron welcomes the opportunity to provide work placement opportunities and tries to ensure that students gain a wide range of experience in a structured environment.
Students work with a mentor, usually a team leader or head gardener, and perform general gardening duties. They are not permitted to use motorised machinery or other equipment for which they have not received the relevant health & safety or skills training.
If students show an aptitude for the work they are encouraged to take up apprenticeship opportunities, which are available on most Quadron contracts each year. Quadron is very keen to train its own staff, and to encourage youngsters to become skilled horticulturalists to try to reverse the ageing profile within the industry generally.
The following letter was received from a student who completed two weeks of work experience in October 2009, working as a gardener in Bishops Park, Fulham.
"Dear Mr Andrews,
Thank you for allowing me to do my work experience with you. I learnt a lot of new skills when working with you, I also learnt about trees and bushes. I know about new plants and shrubs that I didn't even know were there. I really enjoyed the fun times we had.
I wonder how everyone is and hopefully they're all well and having fun. I really appreciate how everyone treated me as part of the gang, I liked the jokes they said to welcome me and make me feel at home. I wish I could come back one day and work with you again. I would like to thank everyone for everything they did for me and you for helping me get all the aspects of the job done."