WYEVALE Nurseries' Business Support team member Josh Pascoe has been presented with the Midland Regional Growers Apprentice of the Year 2022/2023 award at the recent RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Malvern Spring Festival (May 2023).

Josh joined the Hereford-based commercial grower as an apprentice in 2021 and, as part of his training, worked in all departments before moving to the office team in autumn 2022.

Wyevale Nurseries' Head of Business Support, Carol Dickinson, says:

"This is a fantastic achievement! Well done Josh!

"Horticulture is a fast-paced and exciting industry, and we're keen to attract young people like Josh into our sector and to nurture them. In fact, we take our young talent very seriously here.

"Our successful in-house apprenticeships and trainee manager programmes are renown. Last year, eight colleagues graduated from these initiatives into more senior roles or are now actively working through our training and management scheme."

Josh's career began with Wyevale Nurseries in November 2021 after he decided to follow his passion for horticulture. He then spent time working company-wide before applying for an office position in October 2022.

The 32-year-old lives in South Wales and up until November 2021 only practiced horticulture as a hobby.

Josh says:

"I'm honoured to have received this award, which came as a complete surprise. I've benefited greatly from the invaluable support offered by Mark Diggens who is Pershore College's Trainer/Assessor and from Steve Reed, Wyevale Nurseries' Container Division Director, as well as all my colleagues here. I've really enjoyed the multitude of experiences I've had during my apprenticeship and would recommend one to anyone looking to start a career in horticulture."

The apprenticeship scheme offered Josh a wide foundation of experiences, allowed him to be employed in a working nursery and to have the opportunity to try various roles.

Apprentices also take part in nursery visits and attend plant shows such as the RHS Malvern Spring Festival and the Horticultural Trades Association's National Plant Show, where expertise and practices are shared by professionals within the industry.

The award ceremony took place at RHS Malvern Spring Festival and was hosted by well-known horticulturalist, presenter and author, Frances Tophill and Wyevale Nurseries' Container Division Director, Steve Reed.

Carol adds:

"We're always looking for talented individuals to join us in all areas of our business. If you'd like to have an informal and friendly chat about potential opportunities with us, please email me via carol@wyevale-nurseries.co.uk."

Wyevale Nurseries' product selection is admired across the industry and the talented team regularly introduces new, award-winning plant varieties.

Its main business is to supply garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.