Comments on: Works Initiative To Provide Horticulture Training

By: Hudson

Hudson — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:26:55 +0000

Nice initiative – hope they learn how to actually PLANT trees instead of just ripping them out of the ground and filling the earth with pesticides. Seems to be a theme happening in Bermuda these days everywhere you turn. Maybe they can help to reverse this disturbing trend?

By: Gilbert Pitcher

Gilbert Pitcher — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:28:14 +0000

Of course there is a need to Temp or even Roll soil, but not Compact it, as a Landscaper of some almost thirty years and the former groundsman of the National Stadium I can assure you this Compactor approach is wrong.

By: The Gambler

The Gambler — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:33:04 +0000

Many turf managers pack soil after it has been seeded maybe they put down seed also they pack it when you put in springs. it is somthing they do of golf courses

By: Enforcer

Enforcer — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:01:52 +0000

All the best to these individuals who have been given this oppurtunity. It is interesting that there was extensive consultation with labour and training however did they check former employers as references. This is something that very few companies do and end up with employees that do very well in interviews but are very bad employees. It would be interesting to know at the completion of this program who successfully passes and if they have been placed in the workforce.

By: OMG

OMG — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:34:45 +0000

So could someone answer a question for me? Do the unemployed have to be registered with Labour and Training in order to qualify for these initiatives that Govt. is implementing?

By: Gilbert Pitcher

Gilbert Pitcher — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:14:32 +0000

Hopefully we wont be seeing their training including using a Plate Compactor to
‘Temp’newly spear top soil as was the case I’m told down at the Harbour View Properties in St Davids. Though I did not see them using the compactor the evidence (Compacted Soil-Lines) is clear for all to see.

What is the point of laying new top soil if you are going to pack the entire area in this fashion? The only thing you will grow in that is Concrete, I can only imagine they where teaching them how to prep wickets as if you are expecting to grow turf grasses and other plants then good luck, their roots will be strangled from the word go. If any of these workers are expecting to be hired by landscapers locally then please ensure that they are receiving proper training. A hand roller would have sufficed really.

Having said that hopefully they will meet with some success but I will reserve comment … for now.

By: ??

?? — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:58:52 +0000

What?? This is completely different than what the college advertises and the course description!

Skills to be taught will include the safe use of horticultural equipment, basic use of tools, mowing, trimming, edging, pruning, chainsaw use, hard landscaping (such as surfacing, fence repairs, sign and bench installation); pesticide and herbicide application and tradesman skills such as carpentry and masonry

This description sounds more like landscaping than horticulture

By: Pastor Syl

Pastor Syl — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:54:43 +0000

Another version of factory fodder. Sad!

By: Young Observer

Young Observer — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:51:06 +0000

just to get this straight they gave a big press conference to talk about training 6 people? hundreds unemployed and theyre solution is to train 6 landscapers and call it a day, well i call that a fail.

By: The Future

The Future — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:12:48 +0000

I agree. They should be coached on growing food (something useful) rather than perpetually try to restrain the growth of ornamental plants (something bordering on useless). But alas, we have yet to move on from being an ornamental society…grow some food people.

By: joonya

joonya — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:14:57 +0000

Im sorry, but when I worked in landscaping, I didnt need some Ministry Initiative to give me for 4-6 months training on how to push a lawnmoer and trim a hedge.
All it takes is a little dedication and hard work.

Many Bermudians have been hired by local landscaping companies in the effort to keep Bermudians employed, but after 2 days couldnt hack it. Work & hours were too hard. There’s been many documented cases. Why will this to be any different?

By: Skeptic

Skeptic — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:02:33 +0000

It is a pity that the program does not go further then this. Apparently an initiative to implement a comprehensive landscaping program under the auspices of a respected educational partner were rejected in a desire to have a program up and running very fast and on the basis that people needed to know how to cut lawns, not understand the concepts used to create and manage landscapes. Dumb it down to keep people unempowered and window dressing for an election if you ask me….

By: pebblebeach

pebblebeach — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:30:57 +0000

While good for the Ministry…National Training Board have been trying to implement a horticulture training program for years but due to lack of funding from the Government, were unable to do so…but I am glad it is finally happening…landscaping companies are in dire need of qualified workers…

By: RC

RC — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:22:11 +0000

“Skills to be taught will include the safe use of horticultural equipment, basic use of tools, mowing, trimming, edging, pruning, chainsaw use, hard landscaping (such as surfacing, fence repairs, sign and bench installation); pesticide and herbicide application and tradesman skills such as carpentry and masonry.”

I’m not an expert, but I’m pretty sure that is landscaping, not horticulture.