Jordan Neame, 23 and Frank Brown, 21, have joined the company on its contract with Canterbury City Council in Kent and will help look after the city’s parks and gardens.
They will study for a Level 2 Diploma in horticulture at work and at Hadlow College in Tonbridge, Kent. The Level 2 Diploma is a 20-month course and will provide the apprentices with a background to the horticultural industry as well as introducing them to skills such as plant identification, pruning and plant and soil science.
Neame and Brown will work closely with an assessor from Hadlow College, who will visit them regularly to assess their practical skills and to support them in the development and implementation of action plans to help them achieve the diploma.
Both entrants into horticulture had been unemployed before getting the Serco apprenticeships, Neame for 18 months and Brown for 12.
Brown said: "Office work has never appealed to me as I enjoy being outside so this apprenticeship is a real winner for me. Part of the course is in the classroom but the majority is based on practical assessments so I am able to develop my skills on the job while working towards a qualification that will help my future prospects and help me to secure full time work."
Neame said he was thankful for the opportunity and looking forward to learning new skills and the challenges the apprenticeship will bring.
Serco grounds maintenance manager David Austin said "It’s great to welcome these two local lads to the team and I look forward to supporting them throughout their apprenticeships.
"The grounds maintenance industry contributes around £9 billion annually to the UK economy, employs approximately 300,000 people and offers many rewarding career paths for talented people, so we are really pleased to be able to support Jordan and Frank as they commence their careers in this industry."
Serco started two eight-year combined facilities management contracts, worth a combined value of £64m, with Canterbury City Council in April 2013.
This week is National Apprenticeship Week. Look out for more stories about apprentices on the Horticulture Week website.
