Swan supports growing talent

SWAN supports growing talent

Swan Plant Services Ltd., Knutsford, Cheshire October 2004, APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) recently held its annual Horticultural Apprentice of the Year awards and Swan was delighted to be invited by APSE to sponsor the event.

The quality of entries was excellent and the finalists represented their councils to the very highest standards. Judging was based on a pre-submitted portfolio and five finalists: Gemma Webb from Birmingham CC, John Court from Cardiff CC, Paul Byrne from Oldham BC, Katie Trohear from Copeland BC and Stuart McDonald from West Lothian Council were invited for interview to select the overall winner.

The results were very close with Katie Trohear from Copeland BC winning by one point. Richard Hughes from Swan Plant Services, himself a former apprentice gardener with Sunderland Council and latterly Head of Grounds Maintenance for Sunderland Housing Group, commented that "All the entrants were a credit to the groundscare industry. It is refreshing to see so much young talent emerging, in an industry that needs young professionals with a good grounding in horticulture, to continue to develop grounds maintenance services. Swan wholeheartedly supports such initiatives as demonstrated by the Company supporting a number of horticultural mechanics through their apprenticeships each year."

The event was presided over by Cllr Ron Manley, London Borough of Newham and the finalists plaques and winners trophy was presented by Tim Jones CEO of Swan Plant Services.

Photo: from Copeland BC Toni Magean, and Katie Trohear, winner of the APSE Young Horticulturist of the Year, award presented by Tim Jones, CEO Swan Plant Services.