The horticulture industry needs new blood, according to John Harris, owner of Blenheim Nurseries near Colchester, and the only way to achieve that is encourage young people into the industry.

However, when John was first approached by a young student asking for work experience through Trident earlier this year, his first reaction was to say no.

“I had previously had a bad experience with a student who did work experience with us but didn’t pull her weight,” he said. “As a small but ambitious business, we found that it was difficult having a young person around who didn’t appreciate the opportunity she was being given.”

But Trevor was different. “This young man really wanted to work”, said John. So much so that when his placement ended, Blenheim took him on part-time on Saturdays and Trevor is now hoping to do horticulture at college. John is now looking in to the possibility of offering Trevor day-release with Blenheim Nurseries.

“We have discovered that having an enthusiastic young person inspires our staff and it was an employee who suggested that Trevor could work for us on Saturdays once he had completed his work experience,” said John.

“Blenheim Nurseries is growing, the retail side of our business is really taking off, and if we are to maintain this success we need young people like Trevor to develop alongside the business. When he is qualified, there will be a place for him here if he wants it”.

John is so pleased with this year’s Trident work experience student that he’s already booked another in for next year.