Inspire; Challenge and Achieve
Heather (pictured below) shares her thoughts on Apprenticeships and her vision for the future at Myerscough College, saying: "Myerscough College has a clear vision for its Apprenticeship provision. The aim is to be the outstanding provider of choice for Apprenticeships, workbased and industry provision across the full range of landbased subjects building on our local, regional and national employer base to deliver a truly inspiring experience for our learners and employers."
"We always strive for excellence and to deliver and develop programmes focusing not just on achievement of qualifications, but to inspire and advance the skills base within all our learners and employers. It's amazing to see the focus and determination of our Apprentices and learners across our subject areas and to celebrate their success."
My Success: Ryan Powell wins Young Groundsman of the Year
The recent industry awards saw another generation of Myerscough College learners achieve success and receive recognition from their industry peers for their success.
Former Myerscough College Apprentice, 24-year-old Ryan Powell, is now on the groundstaff at Everton Football Club. He is part of a team of ten, where his main responsibilities revolve around the maintenance and development of the playing surfaces - including marking out - and the surrounding wildlife conservation areas at the club's Finch Farm training ground. Here, he utilises his additional gardening duties, involving soil cultivation, mulching, watering, weeding, edging, pruning and bed preparation, as well as the care of rockeries, herbaceous borders and shrubberies. In addition, he has created and landscaped a World War I memorial garden at the entrance to Finch Farm.
Ryan has been with the club since he left school seven years ago and is now working towards his Foundation Degree, having already successfully achieved his Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeship in Horticulture/Sportsturf at Myerscough College.
Ryan commented: "It's fantastic to receive recognition for really just doing my job. Bob Lennon, the team at Everton and my Myerscough College tutors have supported me every step of the way, investing in me through training and education to allow me to develop my skills and experience.
To think I am now starting in Higher Education is something I never thought I would achieve and I am looking forward to the day I graduate."
"Apprenticeships are a great way to start a career and I would recommend them to all young people considering careers in groundsmanship. It's great that the manager and players have taken time out of their busy schedules to acknowledge my award and to congratulate me."
My Success: Nottingham Racecourse groundstaff win award
The team at Nottingham Racecourse, under the direction of Ron Mason, have been recognised for their dedication, professionalism and the quality of their workmanship on the course.
Ron is currently undertaking his Level 3 Sportsturf qualification in the workplace with Myerscough College.
In addition to producing and maintaining the best possible racing surface, the team also look after the paddock and grandstand areas where there are fine turf lawn areas surrounded by trees and flowers, plus stables and saddling/treatment boxes at the 293-acre Cowlick Park racecourse.
With four full-time members plus sixteen casual and race day staff, the team has to accommodate twenty-three racing fixtures each year, plus a host of other events that involve use of the lawns and stables, including providing support to other local racecourses; it goes without saying that every area of the racecourse has to look its best all year round.
Myerscough College Sportsturf Tutor and E-Learning Development Co-ordinator Jonathan Knowles comments on Ron's and the team's success, saying: "It's great to see the hard work of the team at Nottingham recognised. I know Ron is proud the team have been acknowledged. Big changes have been made by Ron since his installation and it's now clear to see these improvements are yielding results. Whilst undertaking his own training, he has been actively engaged in ensuring his team also have their skills enhanced. I know Ron has a bright future in the industry and I congratulate him and the team on their success."
Research in Action - Annual Research Conference once again a success
Myerscough College's annual Research Conference once again proved to be a big hit, as hundreds of delegates turned out for the event.
Now in its tenth year, the conference was split into three main halls, covering the College's three research areas - Welfare of Managed Animals, Sport Performance and Sustainable Plant Cultivation and Arboriculture. Various topics related to these main areas were suggested and staff and students of Myerscough College, many of them current PhD candidates, used the day to present some of their latest research and findings.
In addition, there was once again a range of specialist keynote speakers invited to the event. This year they included; Cindy Milburn, Director of Animal Welfare and Outreach at the International Fund for Animal Welfare; Dr Paul Worsfold, Senior Lecturer at the English Institute for Sport; Professor Ian Dodd, Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at Lancaster University; Dr Kevin Butt, Reader in Ecology at UCLan; Dr Rachel White, a Lecturer in Equine at Myerscough College and Ian Bateman, the Head of England Futsal.
The annual conference is coordinated by the Director of Research, Dr David Elphinstone who said: ''We are one of the largest providers of these specialist subjects in the country and research plays a key role in this. Our mission statement says that we will reinforce our academic activities with a culture of learning and with a growing body of research that has a significant profile regionally, nationally and internationally. This latest conference highlighted the role that research plays in underpinning the education we provide and imparting a research ethos among our higher education students.''
Mick Cottam, Assistant Principal of Higher Education at Myerscough College, said: ''It was an excellent event and the speakers were really well received. Many attendees commented on how well the research had come across. All sessions were extremely well attended and external attendees were clearly impressed at the standard and extent of research.''
Major New Landscaping Apprenticeship Partnership launched
Myerscough College is delighted to announce a new and exciting partnership focusing on Landscaping Apprenticeships. The programme which sees Myerscough College join forces with the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), has an intake of ten learners, who this week came together for an intensive, five day 'Bootcamp'.
The partnership between the APL, Myerscough College and the Landscape Skills Academy brings together industry standards, Apprenticeship expertise and training excellence under one roof. The programme will also expose the apprentices to the latest products, tools, equipment and practice, to fully prepare them for a career in the profession in line with both current and future industry needs.
The scheme, which represents a first for the sector, has a clear vision to produce the next generation of landscaping professionals with the skills and competences to thrive within the workplace. So far, in excess of eight employers from across the country have invested in the new programme.
Penny Evans who is the APL Learning and Careers Manager said: ''The APL Apprenticeship Programme has defined the standards to be met and shaken up the delivery model, moving away from day release to intensive five day training Bootcamps focusing on technical skills, personal responsibility and team working and a dose of inspiration."
Lee Price, Employer Services Manager at Myerscough College said: "We are delighted to officially launch this exciting new apprenticeship model. With the support of the APL and the Landscape Skills Academy, the learning journey for the new apprentices will I know be an exciting one."
''This is another example of how we are working closely with industry to deliver an apprenticeship that delivers exactly what is required for individuals to flourish and develop. I wish all the new apprentices the best of luck on their adventure."
The Landscape Skills Academy was set up by RHS Award Winner, Jody Lidgard, who is no stranger to Myerscough College, having been a guest speaker at a networking event held on the campus earlier this year. Jody said: ''I've been in the industry for 18 years and have a passion for sharing knowledge, which has led to the setting up of the Landscape Skills Academy. There's a gap in the market where colleges and educational establishments have been slow to fill and so these programmes will be focusing on various aspects of the industry based on the World Skills ethos of training to excellence."
''The focus is definitely 'hands on', underpinned with theory work. The aim is to produce our first generation of Landscape Specialists and strive to evolve from a generalist approach to the industry. With the combination of professional delivery and course management from Myerscough College, working closely with our industry based team, we are forging the first cohort
of landscape construction learners who will not only be 'work ready', but more importantly have the skills to propel their companies forward into an increasingly buoyant market place."
For more details or to enquire about our provision please contact the Employer Services team on 01995 642255 or email employerenquiries@myerscough.ac.uk