After working closely with our current students for the potting on and growing of hardy nursery stock, Provender Nurseries are delighted to have taken on two Hadlow College students on a part-time basis.
The two students work under Stuart Tickner, the Nursery Manager, and are working with the nursery team undertaking general nursery work and learning new skills. Working within the existing nursery team, their daily tasks include unloading lorries, watering, weeding, labelling and feeding plants on site.
New skills gained at present are creating plant displays, interacting with customers and pruning of topiary plants, which requires a good eye, patience and, of course, biosecurity. Whilst working at Provender Nurseries, both students are also being tested with regular plant idents and learning the seasonality of certain tasks and the rationale behind when and why seasonal tasks are carried out.
The students, Rob Passey and Adam Harris are settling in well and rapidly becoming valuable team members.
Adam Harris said ‘’I like putting the skills I learnt at College into practice, particularly pruning, feeding plants properly, biosecurity and how important watering is. It has also helped with my plant identifying, and I know I can also ask for help if I don’t know what I'm looking for. I've never had to deal with customers before, which is something I am learning.
"I like my job being very varied and particularly like tidying the plants and improving their displays. I did one particular display with bay trees and was delighted to see them sell well as a result.’’
Rob Passey added, “I enjoy pruning, moving stock, unloading lorries, and putting stock out for sale. I've learnt a lot of plant names in the short time I've been here and learnt a lot about the plants themselves. Everyone on the team is a good laugh, and makes me feel welcome. “
Provender Nurseries continues to work with the College and is looking toward the next academic year to continue the growing regime and working with students within the national curriculum.
Stuart Tickner says "We are genuinely delighted with the working relationship developing with Hadlow College. As a company, Provender Nurseries are keen to support the future of our industry and we feel the budding working relationship at Hadlow College will continue to go from strength to strength.’’