In the London Borough of Southwark, 12 of Quadron's employees have recently gained their NVQ Level 2 qualifications in Amenity Horticulture, four of whom are now commencing Level 3. A second phase of the programme has recently started with a further two full time employees and three apprentices enroling on Level 2.
In the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, six employees are studying for Level 2 Amenity Horticulture and four sports desk receptionists/administration staff are about to commence Level 2 in Customer Care.
In Kingston upon Thames, a further 35 Quadron employees are currently having their qualifications assessed to establish their future training needs so that programmes can be drawn up for each of them.
Additionally, Level 2 Amenity Horticulture is currently being undertaken by the following Quadron employees:
- 51 in The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham;
- 12 in Mendip District Council
- 12 in Hastings Borough Council
- 6 in Medway.
As this amount of take up clearly demonstrates, the Train to Gain courses are very popular with employees, enabling them to enhance their skills levels on the job without losing pay. Assessors come to site each fortnight for half a day to work with the candidates and assist them in building their portfolios. Each week horticultural candidates are expected to complete 3-4 plant profiles, 2 job sheets and one bank of questions. Work is witnessed by on-site supervisors and supplementary questions asked by assessors to verify understanding.
In Holland Park Nursery, a study area has been set aside where trainees and apprentices are able to keep their portfolios and work towards their qualifications in their free time or during periods of inclement weather. The area contains reference books and magazines, and each week a couple of new plants are added for the students to learn. The area is very popular, and not just with the students. Senior employees are also enthusiastic about the scheme and about mentoring the trainees!
Study Area in Holland Park nursery
Senior staff are encouraged to become NVQ assessors to provide on-site mentoring to their more junior colleagues. We also encourage employees to continue to Level 3, in order to become the team leaders and supervisors of the future.