A specialised training programme for young horticulturalists at Oxford University has been renewed thanks to a donation from the Peter Sowerby Foundation. The Horticulturalist Training Programme, run by the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum (OBGA), gives two new entrants into the heritage horticultural workforce the opportunity to gain vital skills and experience for their future careers.
The foundation’s gift of £64,660 will fund the costs of one fixed-term, two-year apprenticeship, as well as supporting some additional equipment and training costs for both apprentices. The apprenticeship post will be named the Ann Sowerby Horticultural Apprenticeship in recognition of this generous donation.
During their time at the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum, the apprentices will be given the opportunity to develop specialist horticultural knowledge and skills, from planting and pruning techniques to the ecology and conservation of plants; pest identification and management; and woodland and meadow management. Alongside their hands-on work at OBGA, they will also receive professional training and complete industry-standard qualifications.
Professor Simon Hiscock, Director of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum, says: ‘We are extremely grateful for the Peter Sowerby Foundation’s support of our horticulturalist apprenticeship programme. The training programme not only supports the work of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum but also addresses the national horticultural skills shortage, and will contribute to the preservation of heritage landscapes, gardens and collections in the future.’
The Peter Sowerby Foundation was established in 2011 to fulfil the philanthropic vision and charitable objectives of former general practitioner Dr Peter Sowerby and his wife, Ann. To date the foundation has awarded over £10 million in grants towards projects in healthcare, the community, environment and conservation, and the arts.
David Aspinall, Chair of the Peter Sowerby Foundation Trustees, says: ‘The Ann Sowerby Horticultural Apprenticeship will further develop the vision of OBGA through apprentice training and accreditation, which will provide opportunities for hands-on work in ecology and conservation and facilitate future careers in horticulture. Ann Sowerby’s love of horticulture makes this a fitting grant in recognition of her lifetime passion.’
The Ann Sowerby Horticultural Apprenticeship is one of two horticultural apprenticeships being offered by the OBGA, alongside an arborist apprenticeship focused on arboriculture. All three training opportunities are supported by donors and philanthropic trusts. Recruitment for the posts is currently underway, with the successful candidates expected to commence their training in September 2021.