Horticulture & Landscaping Apprenticeship – YGS
Scott’s always had a knack for working outdoors and being practical.
And, after being given a taste of working in farming, Scott quickly realised that this was what he wanted to do full-time. But, he knew that he was missing some crucial knowledge that he needed to succeed. So, Scott decided to put his all into an Apprenticeship with YGS Landscapes, supported by City College Plymouth.
“I’d studied a couple of courses in the past before starting my Apprenticeship but I never really got on with traditional education. I like being hands-on so it’s the perfect choice for me, and I feel like an Apprenticeship is a level up from your standard course.”
Scott’s choice to go down the Apprenticeship route was a no-brainer. It wasn’t just about levelling up his skills; it was also about earning while learning, which is something a traditional course couldn’t offer him. But, Scott isn’t just learning about landscaping – he’s also learning about sustainable practices and how to make his job greener.
“There’s a massive focus on sustainability in my Apprenticeship, and at YGS as a whole. Any plants that we don’t use are brought back to use on other projects and we’re aiming to reduce our waste by recycling wood from our fencing projects, too.”
But, it doesn’t stop there. YGS also pioneers the implementation of micro-forests across schools in Plymouth, creating mini-ecosystems and aims to clean the local carbon footprint. The micro-forests have the potential to grow ten times faster, be 20 times more biodiverse, and be up to 30 times better at absorbing carbon compared to more traditional ways of creating woodland.
For anyone considering an Apprenticeship, Scott advises them to “go for it – as much as it can seem daunting, it’s so much fun and you’re getting so much more out of it and you’re learning a lot, too.”
Looking ahead, Scott aims to finish his Apprenticeship with YGS and gain full-time employment with the company, whilst picking up all of the necessary skills needed to launch his own business in the future.
If you’re thinking about taking on an Apprenticeship and want to know more, just click here to explore the exciting possibilities that City College has waiting for you.
