April 16, 2017
Celebrating women in Apprenticeship
By J. Alex Gibson
LO Eastern Ontario Apprenticeship
In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, we profile two female apprenticeship students from LO’s Upper Canada Chapter. These two apprentices and their employer, Pam McCormick CLP of Simply Landscaping & Garden Designs in Odessa, Ont., are great examples of women who have benefited from the Apprenticeship Program.
The program offers a number of benefits, both tangible and intangible to both the employer and the employee. The employer benefits include: improved staff retention and loyalty, no financial cost, tax and grant incentives, and more confident and skilled staff.
Employees who take part in the program benefit through: $4,000 in grant money, hands-on learning, ability to obtain Red Seal status, a nationally-recognized designation, diversifying their professional knowledge.
If you have staff interested in registering to upgrade their skills or require more information, please contact Alex Gibson, LO’s Apprenticeship Program coordinator at jagibson@landscapeontario.com or 613-809-5093 or visit horticulturetechnician.ca.
LO Eastern Ontario Apprenticeship
In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, we profile two female apprenticeship students from LO’s Upper Canada Chapter. These two apprentices and their employer, Pam McCormick CLP of Simply Landscaping & Garden Designs in Odessa, Ont., are great examples of women who have benefited from the Apprenticeship Program.
Simply Landscaping currently has four registered apprentices in the program, with one close to completion. Pam McCormick has been in business for 22 years and is fully aware of the many benefits of the Apprenticeship Program.
What benefits do you see in training your employees through the Apprenticeship Program?
“It keeps them engaged in the off-season and also makes them feel that they have a career and not just a job. I also like that different instructors bring different and/or new ideas and methods, which I encourage the apprentices to share with us. I feel this, in turn, makes our company better. I’m a big believer in continuing education.”
What would you say to another employer who might be considering putting their staff through the Apprenticeship Program?
“This is an amazing opportunity and a win-win situation for the employer. Tax breaks aside, education builds confidence and will bring higher quality performance to your jobsites. And the bonus is that there is no cost to the employer.”
What benefits do you see in training your employees through the Apprenticeship Program?
“It keeps them engaged in the off-season and also makes them feel that they have a career and not just a job. I also like that different instructors bring different and/or new ideas and methods, which I encourage the apprentices to share with us. I feel this, in turn, makes our company better. I’m a big believer in continuing education.”
What would you say to another employer who might be considering putting their staff through the Apprenticeship Program?
“This is an amazing opportunity and a win-win situation for the employer. Tax breaks aside, education builds confidence and will bring higher quality performance to your jobsites. And the bonus is that there is no cost to the employer.”
Jodi Whan is a Level 1 Apprentice at Loyalist College.Whan has one year of experience in the profession and loves working outside with plants.
What were your top three reasons for registering in the Apprenticeship Program?
1. Career
2. Employer wanted me to
3. A better life for my children
What interests you about the landscape profession?
“Lots of things. I love flowers and I want to learn more about trees and their diseases and how they can be cured.”
In two sentences or less, what would you say to someone who might be thinking about registering in the program?
“I would highly recommend it, that is, if they enjoy being outside. It’s a great short program, but very condensed.”
What were your top three reasons for registering in the Apprenticeship Program?
1. Career
2. Employer wanted me to
3. A better life for my children
What interests you about the landscape profession?
“Lots of things. I love flowers and I want to learn more about trees and their diseases and how they can be cured.”
In two sentences or less, what would you say to someone who might be thinking about registering in the program?
“I would highly recommend it, that is, if they enjoy being outside. It’s a great short program, but very condensed.”
Rachel Craig is a Level 1 Apprentice at Loyalist College. Craig has two years of experience in the profession and enjoys softscape construction.
What were your top three reasons for registering in the Apprenticeship Program?
1. To broaden my knowledge in different aspects of the landscape industry
2. To become accredited nationwide
3. For more training in the landscape industry, to further myself in my career
What interests you about the landscape profession?
Softscape design and construction.
In two sentences or less, what would you say to someone who might be thinking about registering in the program?
“I have learned a lot through the in-class portion and the training standard is a helpful tool to make sure I’m becoming skilled in multiple facets of the industry. I would definitely recommend registering for the apprenticeship program.”
What were your top three reasons for registering in the Apprenticeship Program?
1. To broaden my knowledge in different aspects of the landscape industry
2. To become accredited nationwide
3. For more training in the landscape industry, to further myself in my career
What interests you about the landscape profession?
Softscape design and construction.
In two sentences or less, what would you say to someone who might be thinking about registering in the program?
“I have learned a lot through the in-class portion and the training standard is a helpful tool to make sure I’m becoming skilled in multiple facets of the industry. I would definitely recommend registering for the apprenticeship program.”
Employers and employees benefit from Apprenticeship Program
With summer quickly approaching, companies across the province are gearing up for another busy season. Now is the time to promote training and register your staff for the Apprenticeship Program. Registration is easy, and Landscape Ontario will support you from start to finish. Apprenticeship is a mix of on-the-job training and two, 12-week, in-class sessions that will create a knowledgeable and confident employee.The program offers a number of benefits, both tangible and intangible to both the employer and the employee. The employer benefits include: improved staff retention and loyalty, no financial cost, tax and grant incentives, and more confident and skilled staff.
Employees who take part in the program benefit through: $4,000 in grant money, hands-on learning, ability to obtain Red Seal status, a nationally-recognized designation, diversifying their professional knowledge.
If you have staff interested in registering to upgrade their skills or require more information, please contact Alex Gibson, LO’s Apprenticeship Program coordinator at jagibson@landscapeontario.com or 613-809-5093 or visit horticulturetechnician.ca.