The budding horticulturalists have signed up to an 8-week course called Future Gardeners. This programme mixes classroom learning and hands-on gardening sessions, so participants are well placed to apply for horticultural apprenticeships or jobs at the end of it.
Future Gardeners is delivered by the charity Bankside Open Spaces Trust. It is supported by Peabody, who are leading the long-term regeneration of Thamesmead, and funded by their contractors, Maylim.
Peabody is the first housing association able to deliver all elements of Future Gardeners training in one location. This means that participants will benefit from work experience in their hometown, working alongside Peabody’s 145-strong environmental services team. The team look after more than 240 hectares of green space across Thamesmead all year round.
All those who complete the Thamesmead-based course will have the chance to apply for a full-time position with Maylim or entry-level gardening vacancies within Peabody or other organisations.
Future Gardeners has a strong record when it comes to supporting people into work. To date 76% of people who complete the training are now working in the horticulture industry.
Jack Gower, Landscape Activation Manager at Peabody, said: “We’re so pleased to be supporting our residents into the wonderful world of horticulture. As well as providing career opportunities, the scheme will also have a positive impact on the local environment, with participants working with us to improve the extraordinary green space we own and manage.
“We’re the first housing association able to deliver all elements of the training in one neighbourhood, so it’s going to be great to see the participants progress in their hometown.”
Commenting on the partnership Louisa Mansfield, Future Gardeners Programmes Manager at Bankside Open Spaces Trust, said: “We’re really excited to be working with Peabody to bring Future Gardeners to Thamesmead. The town is full of amazing green spaces looked after by a great team. It’s the perfect place to deliver the training.
“We give residents the chance to kick start their careers in horticulture whilst giving back to the local environment. We look forward to working with all the participants and seeing them progress over the weeks ahead.”
The training started on Tuesday 4 February.
