Apprentices keep Sunderland sparkling

The city council's Local Services team has taken on 11 apprentices in environmental roles - made up of five fine turf apprentices, four horticultural apprentices and two arborist apprentices.

They will work on colourful planting schemes and take care of the city's open spaces and miles of roadside verges, as well as around 40 football pitches, 14 bowling greens and three cricket pitches.

Each apprentice is receiving training to carry out a full range of horticultural and grounds maintenance activities. Arboriculture apprentices will also be trained to carry out activities on the ground, from an aerial platform, and use ropes and harnesses.

The new recruits are attending college once a week and spend the rest of their two-year apprenticeship working and training in their respective disciplines.

One of the new team members is Allan Hardy, who is completing an Arboriculture Level 2 apprenticeship and taking care of trees across the city. Allan previously worked in a call centre and wanted to change direction to work outdoors. When he saw the apprenticeships advertised, he saw it as a great way into a new industry.

As part of the apprenticeship, Allan attends college one day a week where he studies the science and technical skills behind working with trees and is working towards industry standard qualifications. The rest of the time is spent learning on the job all over Sunderland.

Allan said: "I have gardening experience and I am really passionate about this kind of work, so the opportunity to gain qualifications and learn while making an income was perfect. I am getting into something I have always wanted to do and it's like a dream come true.

"It's a fantastic route into the industry - if there's something you want to do but you don't have any experience you can learn on the job. The team I work with know that I don't know everything but they have been great and really supportive. I'm gaining more experience every day and getting a qualification I can take anywhere. I would wholeheartedly recommend apprenticeships whether you're a school leaver or wanting a change of career."

Councillor Claire Rowntree, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "Our residents tell us they want to live in a clean green city, and the new environmental apprentices are making a big difference by working to maintain Sunderland's award-winning parks and seafront, as well helping keep our hugely popular sports pitches in tip top condition.

"Apprenticeships provide fantastic opportunities for people of all ages, at any stage of their career to develop new skills and apprentices are an integral part of our workforce."