Liverpool apprentices dig for the future

Apprentices from green service provider, Glendale Liverpool have planted 21 new trees and 650 hedge plants at the Park Hill allotments site in Dingle.

Glendale Liverpool is a joint venture between Glendale – the UK’s leading specialist green services provider- and Liverpool City Council.

The event took place to mark National Apprenticeship Week and celebrates the success of Glendale Liverpool’s apprenticeship schemes.

The work was completed by 10 apprentices from Glendale Liverpool – 4 of who are pre-apprentices, introduced to the programme as previously not in education, employment or training (NEET), and 6 apprentices who graduated from the pre apprenticeship programme.

Peter Cosgrove, the manager of Glendale Liverpool, strongly believes in the importance of apprenticeships for young people, particularly those who leave formal education with few qualifications.

Peter sees providing apprenticeships as a matter of social responsibility: ‘Whilst regenerating the city through construction and redevelopment it is as equally important to invest in people and promote a sense of purpose and pride.

‘The planting event today has been symbolic of the positive future Glendale Liverpool aims to provide for young people through our apprenticeship schemes’

Since Glendale Liverpool was formed in 2006, it has introduced over 60 apprenticeship opportunities to local people, and currently employ 24 apprentices who are at various stages of development.

Tommy Rice, a Glendale Liverpool apprentice who was at the planting event said: ‘This my third year on the apprenticeship scheme at Glendale Liverpool and I have a further two years to complete.

‘So far, I’ve gained my NVQ, my Duke of Edinburgh award, and I’m starting my NVQ level 2 in horticulture and landscape gardening. I’m learning a lot and I want to stay here as long as I can. This is my future now’

By 2019 Glendale Liverpool will have introduced 43 fully skilled and trained employees through apprenticeships, which will represent approximately 60% of the permanent operational workforce.

Councillor Steve Munby, Liverpool city council cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “The new allotments will be a great asset to the local community, which are being warmly welcomed.  I am delighted that this scheme is being completed by apprentices who are gaining very valuable experience on a project which will stand them in good stead for their future.”

Glendale is celebrating 25 years of service delivery this year and will be marking the anniversary with a series of events and community engagement projects.