Living Colour - Floristry
Heather Ryder
A former Reaseheath student, Heather has run her
own florist’s shop, Living Colour for ten years.
Working in partnership with Reaseheath to train
apprentices her current employee, Amy is due to
complete her Level 2 Floristry Apprenticeship this June.
Heather says, “An Apprenticeship is brilliant, I think
there should be more of them. Amy is able to work
and train at the same time, gaining lots of valuable
experience”.
“Reaseheath is extremely flexible. They know when
Workforce Development Manager, Chris Middleton pictured with
our busy times are and are flexible in letting Amy
Heather Ryder (right)
come to the workplace. Amy’s assessor knows the
industry and understands the economic climate”.
Floristry is predominantly art based and the flexibility of the apprenticeship has enabled Heather to train Amy
in Living Colours’ modern style.
Once she has completed her apprenticeship Amy will have a permanent position at Living Colour.
Tatton Park - Horticulture
Sam Youd
Beginning his own gardening career as an Apprentice,
Sam now trains Tatton Park’s Horticulture Apprentices.
Sam believes that Apprenticeships are a great way of
gaining practical on-the-job training. “All of Tatton’s
apprenticeships are delivered entirely in the workplace,
allowing apprentices to experience first hand the real
world of gardening”.
In collaboration with Sam, Reaseheath have put
together an apprenticeship programme to suit
the needs of Tatton’s workforce. Tatton’s Adult
Apprenticeships have been a huge success since
starting in 2010. “There is no generation gap in
gardening” says Sam. “It caters for all ages, young to
the more mature”.
From left to right: Apprentice’s Simon Kellett and Bob Buckley
pictured with Sam Youd
Tatton apprentice’s Bob Buckley and Simon Kellett both agree that they have learnt more in the workplace
than they ever could have done at College. “It’s the practical application of the theory which makes you more
employable” says Simon.
www.reaseheath.ac.uk
John Cliffe Building Services
- Construction
John Cliffe
John has been training apprentices with Reaseheath
for over ten years and helped develop the
Construction Apprenticeship programme at the
college.
Apprenticeships have helped John to expand his
From left to right: Luke Claydon, Matt Tipton, John Cliffe and
business and his commitment was recognised when
Gary Brisbourne
he won last years Employer of the Year Awards for the
Midlands region.
He says “Apprenticeships play a key part in getting young people into employment. Every apprentice I have
taken on has had a job waiting for them once they finish”.
Gary Brisbourne, 27, started his training with John ten years ago. “I chose the apprenticeship route to gain
more experience whilst still getting a qualification”.
Gary along with Matt Tipton, 24 and Luke Claydon, 19 all studied at Reaseheath. “Working together has
enabled us to learn from each other” says Matt.
Cheshire East Council
A-Team - Horticulture
Ben Witter
Young people who may otherwise have found it
difficult to find work have been offered horticultural
apprenticeships as part of Cheshire East Council’s
Apprenticeship Scheme, the A-Team.
From left to right: A-Team project leader Ben Witter with
apprentice’s Kieran Whitehead, James Whitehead and Dan Band
along with Reaseheath staff Chris Middleton and Dave Black
“Thanks to Reaseheath’s expertise and flexible
approach, we have been able to develop a training
programme which has been instrumental in bringing
young people back into the horticultural industry.” says Ben Witter, A-Team project leader.
“The training provided by Reaseheath gives our apprentices sound practical work experience which benefits
both the apprentices and local residents”.
The A-Team ‘Apprentice of the Year, Dan said: “Getting an apprenticeship has given me a fantastic opportunity
to get a job in horticulture and develop through work experience. The support network surrounding us has
been fantastic and the training has given me a lot confidence because I know how to do the job properly”.
Reaseheath College trains seven horticultural apprentices, one agricultural apprentice and one business
administration apprentice for Cheshire East’s A-Team.
www.reaseheath.ac.uk