Forward-thinking Plymouth company YGS Landscapes is a great example of how working collaboratively with City College Plymouth on Apprenticeships can benefit an entire sector.
For over 35 years, YGS Landscapes has provided landscaping, grounds maintenance, decking, fencing, and a wide array of related services throughout Devon and Cornwall. With a strong focus on sustainability and the environment, the company has long felt that its sector has been relatively overlooked in terms of local Apprenticeship provision.
When discussing this frustration with the College, both recognised that it was an opportunity to work together and develop a new training programme, which in September 2023, culminated in the launch of a new, two-year Level 2 Horticulture and Landscaping Apprenticeship. One year on, YGS Landscapes has four ‘brilliant’ apprentices as part of its 32-strong team, with four more joining imminently.
Kerry Lewis, Business Development Manager at YGS, stated: “The College lecturers have all said our apprentices are above and beyond where they should be at this time. We believe that our collaborative approach has helped develop an Apprenticeship that will benefit not only each individual but also the whole sector.”
In addition to working with the College to develop the Apprenticeship, YGS has also created its own in-house training programme to complement it. Following a curriculum set out by LANTRA, the awarding body for training in land-based industries, YGS delivers an additional one day per month of onsite training. This training covers the official curriculum and includes a varied range of additional skills. Kerry noted: “We are lucky enough to have access to resources such as project management, planning, landscape design, community projects, social value, and business development. These enrich the apprentices’ learning journey, giving them a truly value-added experience.”
YGS founder and Managing Director, Steve Warren-Brown, commented: “We recognise the challenges of attracting young people into our sector. We work hard to offer all of our apprentices a varied and enriched training experience. We believe that exposing them to as many facets of our sector as possible will equip them with the tools to make informed choices about their own career pathways – hopefully within our sector.”
Kerry added: “They’re taking ownership of their work, and they’re already capable of handling many aspects of their job independently, which is great for them and for us. We will work with them to ensure they have opportunities to progress and take on more responsibility. We are already looking at some of our apprentices advancing to become team leaders or supervisors.”
“Behind our organisation lies a strong ethos of ‘opportunities for all’, which is reflected in our approach to Apprenticeships,” Kerry continued. “Our founder, who has dedicated his entire career to this industry, is deeply passionate about this. The company’s fundamental belief is that the more people who work in this sector, the more good is being done for the planet. We believe that this Apprenticeship – and indeed this career – can give apprentices the foundation and skills needed to make a positive difference to the world around them.”
YGS is delighted to be working with the College and is full of praise for the role the College has played on onboarding its apprentices. Kerry remarked: “We have worked together to get the process right, and the College has been incredibly supportive. There is a shared understanding that all the effort, money, and knowledge we invest is not only for the future of these students but also for future students. If this serves as an inspiration for other businesses to work with the College in a similar way, then all the better.”
Steve added: “At a time when people are increasingly interested in and invested in the environment and the planet’s health, it’s also recognised that working outdoors is hugely beneficial to one’s own wellbeing. So, what better time to consider the landscaping profession as a future career choice?”
Image caption: Front: Business Development Manager at YGS, Kerry Lewis with YGS apprentices
