Formal Training |
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The Horticultural Units are offering short courses leading to nationally recognised certificates…
The Horticultural Units have always offered informal, experience-based training, and continue to do so. Service users learn skills “on the job”, and the job is determined by the horticultural priorities at the time, and by the choices and interests of the individual. While this has worked well over the years, we have always realised that we haven’t been able to offer people formal qualifications in recognition of the skills that they have achieved. We are now doing this as well, by offering those who are interested the opportunity to do short horticultural courses leading to certificates issued by the Open College Network. They run in parallel with our normal way of working.
Report on accredited training to date (February 04)
We are offering:
Short horticultural courses accredited through
the Open College Network
Each course focuses on a particular set of
horticultural skills – eg: “pricking out”, or “seed tray preparation”
Courses are “entry level”, designed to test
practical skills, and to avoid the need for reading and writing
Courses are written “in-house”, tailored to
the needs of people who use our services
Timing of courses and assessments is flexible,
according to the rate of progress of individuals
Nationally recognised certificates are be
issued when competence has been achieved
Many service users already have the skills,
and these certificates formally acknowledge this
Courses are available at all three Units
There is an enrolment procedure for these
courses at each Unit, and this is publicised to service users through Unit
meetings
Courses accredited so far:
Pricking out seedlings
Seed tray preparation using a water bath
Seed sowing in a prepared seed tray
(incorporating organic principles)
Taking softwood cuttings (incorporating
organic principles)
Potting on
Courses in preparation:
Use of lawn mower (rotary, petrol engine)
Use of strimmer (petrol)
Potting up cuttings
Hanging baskets and containers
Keep an eye on this page for further developments.
Horticultural
Training Units Accredited Training Programme
Report for SSI –
February 2004
Staff
and Service Users at the Horticultural Training Units (HTU’s) at Hepscott Park,
Sleekburn and Ridley Hall, recognised the practical skill levels in
horticulture amongst people attending. This was not always acknowledged by
others and was a barrier to progression. After researching existing
qualifications, we concluded that there was a shortage, both locally and
nationally, of appropriate courses.
Service
Users wanted:
§
Training - covering specific
areas of horticulture.
§
Acknowledgement of
practical skills.
§
Achievable levels of
literacy and numeracy.
§
Flexibility in the
length and delivery of courses to accommodate individual needs.
§
Nationally recognised
standards.
This
led us to initiate a partnership with Northumberland County Council Community
Education Department as part of programme 609, Learning is Life.
We
also developed a partnership with Northumberland College to provide ‘Practical
Number and Literacy Skills in Horticulture’ at Entry Level One. Delivered at
the Hepscott Park and Sleekburn sites by a tutor from Kirkley Hall.
Accreditation for all these courses is through the North East Open College.
- The initial courses
written at the HTU’s identified key areas of skill.
- A step-by-step breakdown of each
activity was used as a framework.
- In line with the HTU’s philosophy of
sustainability, organic principles were incorporated.
The first courses covered Seed Tray Preparation, Seed Sowing, Pricking Out, Potting On and Softwood Cuttings.
They were:
§ Accredited by the Open College at Entry Level One.
§ Matched to the Adult Basic Skill Core Curriculum in Literacy and Numeracy.
§ At a nationally recognised standard.
§ Developed further with supporting materials.
Delivery
takes place in small planned groups of 6 or less, at the HTU’s, enabling
appropriate levels of support. Service Users choose which, if any, courses they
would like to undertake and sessions are arranged accordingly.
Learners
are registered with Haydon Bridge High School Community Education Department,
for LSC funding. They retain a percentage for administration and the remaining
amount is credited to the HTU’s budget. This helps to offset delivery costs,
provide resources and equipment.
Each
learner builds a portfolio of evidence linked to the criteria. The range of
evidence allows a choice of methods to suit each individual. All learners have
a course record, which is completed. In addition they may have an assistance
record to show any areas of support. Most choose to have photographic evidence,
with some video, witness statement, audio tape recording, learner comment or a
verified question and answer session. On completion an external Moderator
appointed by the Open College assesses the portfolios.
Participation Figures
|
Learners |
Seed
Tray Preparation |
Seed
Sowing |
Pricking
Out |
Potting
On |
Softwood
Cuttings |
Income
Generated |
|
2002 |
11 |
7 |
5 |
10 |
3 |
£4,788 |
|
2003 |
22 |
16 |
13 |
5 |
10 |
£9108 (Projected) |
|
Totals |
33 |
13 |
18 |
15 |
13 |
£13,896 (Projected) |
It is planned to offer all the existing courses in 2004. A great deal of work has gone into development, but the benefits make it worthwhile.
The results are:
§ An increase in confidence and recognition of skill amongst those taking part.
§ Greater focus of effort in achieving these qualifications.
§ Increased skill levels.
§ A common standard across the HTU’s.
§ A framework for teaching new skills.
§ A basis for discussion to prompt the development of new courses for 2004 in response to requests for additional subject areas to be included.
§ Enjoyment by Service Users of the courses.
§ The social aspects of the presentations.
§ Recognition of their achievements, through press coverage and publicity.
The
aim is to continue to expand the choice within the Units in a manageable and
responsive way, with Service User involvement.
Ann Brown
Assistant Unit Manager
22 January 2004
Page last modified: 01/03/04
