Projects for people with learning disabilities

These projects, are specifically designed for people with learning disabilities and we operate these on behalf of The Highland Council’s Social Work Services. The client group has often been excluded from the opportunity to gain and develop core skills that are required as a first step towards entering supported employment or specialised skills training or simply to enjoy a reasonable level of social inclusion.

Gardening is used as the vehicle for developing such skills due to the range and type of activity used within it. Clients need a reasonable degree of physical fitness and stamina sufficient to participate in gardening activities.

We strongly recommend that all trainees have up to date anti-tetanus status. Client referrals must be made by a Social Worker who must advise us of any medical or other conditions the client may have.

As an approved Scottish Qualifications Authority Training Centre we are well placed to offer pupils from S4 to S6 work experience placements on the horticultural side of the Floral Hall & Gardens.

Placements can be for a period from three days to a week and, depending on the circumstances of the pupil, we may offer placement on a longer term basis. We can provide verbal or formal reports on pupil progress as required. It is essential that any pupil placed with us has a reasonable level of fitness. We are unable to provide placements for pupils with significant behavioural problems. As we are a facility of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture & Sport Service, all pupils are fully covered by the same Insurance Policies of the Council’s schools.

All enquiries about placements should be made to the Floral Hall & Training Centre Manager. Please call us on 01463 713553 or return to the introduction for full contact details.

School Trips

Training
Training is through practical work experience and centre on Social Skills; Health & Safety; Ready for Work Attributes; At Work Attributes; Pre Vocational Skills and Vocational Skills. Our staff liaise closely with the Trainee’s Care Manager and client progress is recorded regularly. We can supply a summary report on any trainee for use at formal care reviews within a couple of days of a formal request being made.

We have a flexible approach to attendance and trainees can attend from 1 to 5 days each week. However, attendance must be consistent each week with placement priority given to those who wish to attend the highest number of days each week. It is also essential that the Project is not used as a ‘stop gap’ while looking for something else so the intended duration of attendance should not be less than six months. Ideally, we have 8 trainees attending each day that stay on the Project for between one and three years.

Attendance & Facilities
Trainees are normally expected to be at the gardens between 9.00am and 3.00pm. There will be a 15 minute morning break and a half hour lunch break. Trainees are asked to bring a packed lunch each day. We have an urn, toaster and microwave available in the rest room. Trainees may take 20 days annual leave. This should be arranged in advance with the training staff. Trainees are expected to make their own way to and from the gardens.

Staff
Our Training staff have many years experience with this client group. They do all they can to make the training as productive and enjoyable an experience as possible. They are fully qualified in First Aid and fully security checked so clients are always in safe and caring environment. If you have an interest in the Project then please call us on 01463 713553 or return to the introduction for full contact details.

Greenkeeping Apprenticeships

The Floral Hall & Training Centre has managed training and gaining of qualifications for Apprentice Greenkeepers on behalf of many Golf Clubs throughout the Highlands including Reay, Thurso, Wick, Brora, Golspie, Royal Dornoch, Carnegie Club, Invergordon, Alness, Strathpeffer, Muir of Ord, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Torvean, Inverness, Nairn West, Nairn Dunbar, Forres, Hopeman, Grantown on Spey, Kingussie and Newtonmore. We do not charge for our services or any of the training costs such as travel to and from College, College accommodation, tuition and registration fees or assessment costs.

The programme delivers the industry approved SVQ Level II qualification over a two year period through work at the Club and periods of ‘off-the-job’ training at Elmwood College, Fife. The Head Greenkeeper will be responsible for ‘on-the-job’ practical training and will observe and monitor the apprentice during the 2 years performing a pre-given list of practical tasks. He will sign off each task once the Apprentice has performed in it to a prescribed level of competence. This is used to gather evidence for the College to compliment their training and assessment procedures and provides evidence for the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

This is not an arduous task for the Head Greenkeeper and we will take him through the process of what is required. Attendance at College is 3 blocks, each of two weeks duration, for each of two years.

On successful completion of the Level II, we can agree with the Club to fund progression of the Apprentice onto Level III and the Full Certificate Of Modern Apprenticeship which takes a further two years with four single one week blocks at College in each of those two years. However, we would only wish to agree a decision on 3rd and 4th year progression with the Club once we have ascertained the Apprentice’s progress in the second year of the Level II work.

The Club is responsible for the recruitment and the employment terms of the Apprentice. We usually start the Apprentice on the programme after their employment has already commenced with the Club and they have settled in. The Apprentice should be under 20 years of age at the time they start with us on Skillseekers training to gain full funding.

 Please call us on 01463 713553
or return to the introduction for full contact details.