Gear Up for Green Jobs!
Written by Tir Coed / Wednesday 25 September 2024
During our AnTir Feasibility project, Tir Coed formed a partnership with Penparcau Community Forum based in Aberystwyth and identified a clear need for people who are work-ready and interested in starting a business in garden services or are seeking outdoor employment opportunities to gain practical qualifications. To address this need, we designed a course specifically to prepare participants for work, offering training in NPTC Brushcutter use, Outdoor First Aid, an introduction to Health and Safety and mentoring in self-employment, which we named the Work Ready for Gardening course.
The course was a great success, helping over 20 individuals to secure employment. Building on this achievement, Tir Coed has now created an intensive progression course for advanced training, aimed at unemployed and underemployed individuals who are ready to work in gardening or forestry. Trainees on the course earn two qualifications: Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry and certification in Brushcutter and Strimmer Use.
We collaborate closely with referral agencies, including our local Job Centres and Employability Teams, along with a range of third sector organisations to identify suitable candidates for the training and guide them toward employment and volunteering opportunities.
Our recent cohort of trainees in Ceredigion and Powys came from diverse backgrounds, each with unique ambitions. For many, the cost of certification had been a significant barrier to employment, as was the challenge of finding suitable training providers or courses within a reasonable distance. Relying on public transport made it even more difficult to access these opportunities, with long travel times often limiting their options.
By offering this course locally and on a fully funded basis, we were able to remove those barriers, making it easier for trainees to access the qualifications they needed. Many of the participants had already built connections with Tir Coed through taster days or short and long courses, which helped alleviate the stress and worry often associated with external training. Being part of a familiar environment also took the pressure off, allowing them to focus fully on developing their skills and achieving their goals.
With the qualifications and confidence gained through the course, these trainees are now well-equipped to pursue self-employment, secure work with a range of employers or continue their progression within the green jobs sector.
This autumn, we’re bringing this opportunity to Pembrokeshire. Don’t miss your chance to join our upcoming Brushcutter courses and take a step towards a greener career. Check out our calendar and get in touch!
