In This Issue
Tributes for Ernest Wertheim, the original Garden Centre Guru
One million new gardeners = increased sales
Fair Trade Face Coverings from Earth Squared – the new ‘must have’ accessory!
Hyve launches virtual events, including Glee Gathering
Eat Out to Help Out With CSY
Fund created for Westland accident victims family reaches £5,000 target
GCA members discuss challenges of re-opening restaurants and cafés
Haskins Snowhill’s new look centre bounces back
Garden centre evacuated after massive fire breaks out at nearby scrapyard
John Lewis looks to expand into horticulture
Greenfingers Charity begins work at Rainbows Hospice
Afternoon Tea is back at Dobbies 
New era for British Christmas Tree Growers Association
Premium Christmas Trees’ Nordmann Slimline trees are its fastest selling festive tree range ever
DJ Turfcare invests in new video content to help drive sales of its new Autumn Lawn Treatment
LifestyleGarden launches second generation of DuraOcean
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Char-Broil appoints new team to fire up UK business
It’s a Herbidacious summer for veg sales
Pot sales stay high
Autumn colour comes early
Legal seeds offer new opportunities for horticulturists
Double growing media sales fuelled by new gardeners
APHA launches first plant health apprenticeship scheme
The best of last week's
Online garden centre retailer apologises to dissatisfied customers
New benchmark for summer sales
We've all gone Potty!
Surge in home and garden businesses trading online
Dobbies and Sainsbury’s grocery partnership launches
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
PetQuip reveals finalists for prestigious Industry Awards 2020
Dog food brand signs 'Better Chicken Commitment'
New Product Awards go ahead
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Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 07973 504214


APHA launches first plant health apprenticeship scheme

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has launched an exciting new apprenticeship scheme as a non-degree entry route to becoming a professional Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI).

 

PHSIs have a crucial role in maintaining and promoting a high plant health status in England and Wales. Their work is valuable to Defra group’s overarching purpose of protecting and promoting plant health within trade, agriculture and the natural environment.

 

The PHSI role is physical, diverse and interesting, and includes: checking imports for the protection of indigenous plants and ecosystem; ensuring exports comply with current legislation which may include examination and certification of plants and planting material; organising emergency measures to control outbreaks of specified quarantine and non-indigenous pests and diseases; and carrying out crop surveys and soil sampling to prevent the spread of notifiable plant pests and diseases.

 

Ian Hewett, APHA Service Delivery and EU Exit Director, encouraged people to apply: “I am pleased to support apprenticeship opportunities in this vital work area. As well as making an important contribution to maintaining biosecurity standards and trade flows following the UK’s departure from the EU, apprentices are a vital part of our strategy to grow our future leaders and diversity within APHA."

 

What it’s like being a PHSI? Hear from APHAcolleagues

 

Piers Harrington, Imports Inspector in North East London & Essex, shares his highlights: “As part of a small team we plan and undertake inspections of fresh fruit, vegetables, plants and seeds as they arrive in the country. Ports and airports are fast paced environments that see a wide range of commodities passing through, and an equally wide range of potential pests and diseases. We also visit garden centres, commercial nurseries, glasshouses and farms to inspect plants as they are growing.

 

“The agency has staff from a wide range of backgrounds including those with scientific, horticultural or agricultural backgrounds among many others. However all the staff share the same enthusiasm for a role in which we can play an active role against the threats to the horticultural and agricultural industries and wider environment both in this country and in others.”

 

Irena Valskiene, Plant Health and Seeds Inspector based at Heathrow, added: “My main work as an inspector at Heathrow, is going out and about to all the warehouses (we call them sheds!) around the airport, all 41 of them! I carry out inspections of controlled fruit and veg, cut flowers, seeds and live plants and cuttings.

 

“Recent changes to legislation as a result of EU exit has meant I have had to learn new inspection methods and adapt to new requirements but I am excited about the future of plant health in the UK following our full withdrawal from the EU.

 

“I love the shift working which gives me four days off in a row every four days. Even though I work four 11 hour days, it goes so quickly as I am always kept active and busy with all my work.”

 

Benefits of an apprenticeship

The scheme is offering 30 apprenticeships in 22 locations across England and Wales.

This is a two-year level 4 apprenticeship which is the equivalent of a first year undergraduate degree. Apprentices will work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, earn a wage and get holiday pay. Throughout the programme, 20% of contracted hours will be allocated to focus on apprenticeship training. Following successful completion of the apprenticeship, there will be the potential for extension or permanency.

 

The closing date is Wednesday 26 August.

For further email PHSIJobs@apha.gov.uk.

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