Parks scheme sets the standard

OLDHAM’S parks apprenticeship scheme has been hailed as one of the best in the country after being chosen to host a workshop to show other local authorities how to do it.

Oldham was chosen as an example of best practice by the Commission for the Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

Nicole Collomb, head of public space management and best practice for CABE, said: “We chose to hold the workshop in Oldham because there is already a highly successful green space apprenticeship scheme running there.

“It is a good example of what can be achieved by local authorities trying to bring more young people into the service.”

Many of the apprentices who started out on the scheme in Oldham have now progressed to management and leadership roles within the parks service. One of the major success stories is 29-year-old Paul Bryne.

Paul started as an apprentice in 2001 and went on to win the Young Horticulturist of the Year award in 2005.

He now works as a technical assistant with Oldham parks department and mentors new apprentices.

Councillor Mark Alcock is Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure.

He said: “This is great recognition of all the hard work done by the parks department along with the apprentices.”