Cardiff’s horticultural apprentices showcase gardening skills learnt in France

Posted by Now Cardiff on Dec 18, 2012

Three young horticultural apprentices, who travelled to Cardiff’s twin city of Nantes in France to gain new skills and experiences, have presented their findings to project partners.

Anthony Davies, Joshua Thatcher and Magdalena Szczerbinska spent three weeks with the Nantes Parks Department Beaujoire as part of the Cardiff Council Parks and Gardens Horticultural Apprenticeship Scheme, funded by the European Leonardo da Vinci Programme.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “We are extremely proud of the Council’s horticultural apprenticeship scheme which continues to provide young people with opportunity to learn valuable skills in an outdoor environment, utilising the city’s excellent parks and green spaces.

“This event will showcase what they have learnt and how the scheme has benefitted their studies as well as demonstrating how positive and credible the scheme is, having been awarded European funding.”

The event which took place on Wednesday 12, December at the Bute Park Education Centre also gave family members of the apprentices and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the major funder of heritage skills in Wales, the opportunity to discover what the group learnt during the work experience placement, including looking at the various differences and similarities between the two cities Councils and parks departments, vehicles and mechanisation, organisation and horticultural methods. They will also demonstrate some ideas that Cardiff could possibly implement here.

The apprentices undertook several French language tutorials in preparation for the placement improving language skills in addition to horticulture.

They worked with gardeners in the Jardin des Plantes, the Grand Blottereau park and the Beaujoire flower gardens.

Cardiff Council was successful in securing over 12,500 Euros from the Leonardo da Vinci Programme to develop the exchange programme for the Parks Services horticultural apprentices.

The Nantes exchange scheme has been a highly valuable part of the horticultural apprenticeship training programme which has the benefits of improving their horticultural skills and assisting in contributing to the apprentice’s curriculum for their studies in horticulture.

Jennifer Stewart, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Wales which is supporting a range of heritage skills work based placements, said: “This scheme has provided invaluable experiences and opportunities for the apprentices. It’s great to see Anthony, Joshua and Magdalena so passionate about developing the skills they need to take Wales’ heritage forward.

“In a tough job market it’s more important than ever that we invest in training placements to provide job-seekers or career changers with the practical skills and confidence they need to get jobs within the heritage sector. Such is the demand for these opportunities we have invested further in our Skills for the Future programme which is now open to new applicants until 31 January 2013.”

The Leonardo da Vinci Programme is part of the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme which supports education and training across Europe. It also provides opportunities for UK vocational education and training.

Cardiff Council’s horticultural apprenticeship scheme aims to develop skills through an in-house programme of practical training, combined with day release study. The scheme addresses the current skills gap in the industry and contributes to promoting career development and retaining a highly skilled workforce in the Parks Service.

As part of the programme, the apprentices benefit from a diverse range of activities and operations associated with horticulture including plant production and propagation, plant identification, conservation and tree management and fine turf.

Butetown regeneration scheme provides training opportunities

Posted by Now Cardiff on Dec 13, 2012

A major revamp of the Christina Street area in Butetown is providing local employment opportunities as well as helping to transform the local area.

The project is part of the Butetown regeneration programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council.

The improvements at Christina Street include new pedestrian and parking layouts, better lighting, new garden walls and boundaries, tree planting and landscaping.

The principal contractor appointed by the Council to undertake the scheme is civil engineering company, Alun Griffiths Ltd.  As part of their winning tender bid, Alun Griffiths proposed a community benefits package which included training and employment opportunities.

Working in partnership with Cardiff and Vale College, who run a range of construction skills training courses from their Cardiff Construction Training Centre, Alun Griffiths has implemented a work experience programme for students studying Bricklaying Level 3. Six students have been provided with two weeks work experience in bricklaying on the Christina Street project.

Kevin Robinson, Campus Manager, thinks it has been a great opportunity for students to get practical experience on a ‘live’ construction site just across the road from the College’s Dumballs Road training centre.

He said: “The students have found that the on-site experience complements the training in the classroom.  It has improved their confidence but also helped them to develop the speed of their bricklaying.  It has been a positive experience, with the students being more focussed and more motivated on returning from the placement.”

For one student, Kieron Ellis, his placement at Christina Street has led to a longer-term role with Alun Griffiths on a construction site in Bridgend.  Kieron will work three days a week whilst he completes the final year of his studies.

Gail Jones, Community Liaison Officer for Alun Griffiths Ltd, said: “As a company, we are committed to provide community benefits on all our major contracts. Having the opportunity to link up with local training provider, Cardiff and Vale College, has allowed us to offer practical work placements which will help deliver a skilled workforce for the future.”

As well as the work experience placements, they have also employed Butetown resident, Kahader Suleman as a labourer.  Gail highlighted the benefits for the company as well as the community.   In the case of Kahader, he was able to assist Gail with translation when she was consulting local residents on the plans.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Councillor Lynda Thorne said: “Our Administration is committed to maximising training and employment opportunities for the people of Cardiff. Christina Street is a practical example of how our regeneration programmes are delivering on this commitment. I am pleased that Alun Griffiths has provided these work experience placements. Such opportunities can be an essential first step for young people looking for secure employment in a skilled occupation”.

Bute Park Education Centre Celebrates its First Birthday

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 19, 2012

This month Bute Park will celebrate the first anniversary of its Education Centre.

The unique facility, which was officially opened last year, provides a venue for a range of educational and nature-based craft activities, and also lets families pick up a variety of guided trails and activities to go out and use in the park itself.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “In the last 12 months the Education Centre has already reached out to large numbers of people in the community, giving them the opportunity to understand more about the park’s rich history and wildlife.

“As well as being a venue where schools, community and educational groups can further their learning about the park, it also gives an insight into the work that goes into creating the floral displays across our city through its views out over the Council’s working plant nursery.. .

Unsurprisingly, it has also proved to be a popular and distinctive venue for organisations and businesses to hire as an inspirational alternative to regular meeting rooms and conference centres.

“The Education Centre has been a welcome addition to Bute Park and already has established itself as an important facility which will continue to be well used by the people of Cardiff.”

The centre, set behind a new garden wall, plays on the concept of a ‘secret garden’ and is accessed through a large, beautifully carved oak door. The panels of the door were specially designed by local wood carvers as part of the ‘’People’s Door’’ competition and help tell the park’s history through imagery.

Cardiff Council’s award-winning horticultural apprentice scheme also uses the centre as a training resource for staff and visiting students.

Over 35 different groups and organisations have chosen to use the centre for a diverse range of functions including workshops, team building, training sessions, meetings, book launches, conferences and children’s events, all of which help sustain the free public use of the facility.

Regular events include the Friends of Bute Park’s Wildlife days, talks and lectures on the history or wildlife of Bute Park, as well as botanical art classes. ‘Painting in the Park’ is run by local artists Christine Wilson and Louise Young and offers people the chance to improve their technique in botanical illustration in the park’s beautiful setting.

Louise said: "The Education Centre is beautifully situated for classes like ours, surrounded by the park and looking out on the plant nursery.

“The peaceful atmosphere of the building encourages creativity and learning and having the lovely cafe close at hand is much appreciated by our students.”

Over 3000 members of the public have utilised the facility since it opened its doors free of charge on weekends and school holidays last February.

More than just a jobsfair

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 17, 2012

Hundreds of jobs will be available at a special event being held at City Hall next week.

“More than a Jobsfair” has been organised by Cardiff Council’s Local Training & Enterprise team in partnership with, Jobcentre Plus, Careers Wales and Cardiff Youth Council. The event will provide an opportunity for people to find out more about the wide variety of job prospects including the armed forces, hospitality, catering, retail and call centre sectors, with more than forty local employers, six of whom will be holding interviews on the day.

Cardiff Council Leader Cllr Heather Joyce said: “It is very important during these difficult economic times that we work with local communities to promote job opportunities for local people. This event promises to be the biggest Jobsfair we’ve held in the city centre, and there will be plenty of job and training vacancies on offer.

"This year, as part of our summer NEET Transition initiative, we have also recruited and trained Event Hosts, from a group of young volunteers who are not in education, training or employment to assist employers and visitors at the jobs fair. The team of volunteers aged between 18 and 24, who are all looking for work, received training ahead of the event and will receive a BTech Level 2 qualification on completion of the course.

“Our aim is to equip the volunteers with experience and training which will allow them to demonstrate their skills and abilities to employers at the Jobsfair and to work with advisors and organisers from Cardiff Council, Jobcentre Plus and Careers Wales.”

Anyone attending the jobsfair will also be able to brush up their CV’s and be able to attend various talks and motivational lectures given on the day with 15 different speakers making presentations.

Last year the event was very successful in placing local people into work, and this year’s job’s fair is bigger and better with even more companies on board who are actively looking to employ people.

These include ING Direct, Premier Inn, Admiral, Debenhams, Tesco, Royal Mail, Hafod, RAF, Special Security Services, Q Care, and many more.

Cllr Joyce added: “We are doing everything we can help people get back to work and I hope many people make the effort to attend and see what’s on offer.”

The free event will be held at City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff, from 10am to 3pm on Thursday 20 September.

For further information follow us on Twitter @cardiffjobsfair or on Facebook or online at www.cardiff.gov.uk/cardiffjobsfair.

New homeless centre opens in Cardiff

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 17, 2012

The new state of the art Single Assessment Centre on Dumballs Road was officially opened today by Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage alongside Cardiff Councils Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Lynda Thorne and Howard Gough Chair of the Huggard.

The new centre replaces the former Tresillian House hostel, as well as the Huggard hostel and day centre and marks a new era for homeless provision in the Capital

Funded by Cardiff Council, The Welsh Government, Hafod Housing Association, Huggard and the Big Lottery the new  £9.4 million provision provides a partnership approach to tackling homelessness.

The Single Assessment Centre includes a health suite where health services can be accessed and will comprise two hostels with 44 ensuite bedrooms and 16 overnight emergency beds, a new Huggard Day Centre along with training and development facilities including a café which will help retrain those living in the centre.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: ‘This is an exciting new service for those in housing need within the city.  It provides joined up services by many partner organisation who are working together to prevent homelessness and limit its often devastating effects’.

“The new centre will be a leading example not only in Wales but the rest of the UK on how to provide homeless provision and help rehabilitate some of the community’s most vulnerable people.

“The centre offers an all encompassing service with a medical centre, young person’s advisory service, and will provide training opportunities.”

The Hostel will be run by a number of key service providers including Cardiff Council, The Huggard, the Salvation Army, Llamau, and the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board.

Cllr Thorne, added: “The new centre is a prime example of skilled organisations working together to provide the best solution. Together their expertise will help to not only give people a bed for the night but help people get back on their feet.

“The centre on Dumballs Road has been a long time coming and will set a benchmark to ourselves and other councils across the UK in how homeless people should be treated.”

Contractor Cowlin Construction were commissioned to build the state of the art centre which features three sedum roofs, various external finishes with gardens and an allotment.

Housing Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis said: “It is a pleasure to open this first class facility and I am delighted that Welsh Government funding has contributed to both the construction and the running of the centre. Housing all the services in one building will mean that the centre is not just providing a roof over people’s heads but also helping them to address any other issues they have and to find a long term home. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved when government, local authorities and the third sector all work together.”

Howard Gough the Chair of Huggard  said  “Huggard exists to support and empower homeless people to achieve their maximum potential in life and this development will provide the absolutely best facilities available to enable the organisation to achieve this.”

He also paid tribute to the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council for their long standing policies for fighting social exclusion.

The ceremony also commemorated the work of Paul Summers, the architect who designed the scheme but sadly passed away before the buildings were constructed.