The Guernsey Institute (TGI) has been forced to suspend its horticulture apprenticeship, citing a lack of interest in the course as enrolment dwindled.
According to TGI bosses, the decision comes after a steady decline in student numbers, coupled with industry feedback pointing to changing needs within the sector.
The apprenticeship, re-established six years ago with a cohort of 14 students, saw just three complete the programme last year. Now, the institute says, the course will enter a "fallow period," with a return only if sufficient demand emerges.
Chris Torode, TGI's director of apprenticeships, emphasised that the institute is committed to tailoring its offering to meet industry requirements. "Horticulture was the lifeblood of Guernsey and we were keen to support development in the sector. But the industry hasn't materialised in the way we expected it to," he said.
Torode highlighted that the shift away from production horticulture to landscaping and the architectural elements of the field has reshaped demand. Regular engagement with horticultural businesses confirmed that their needs were evolving, leading to the decision to pause the apprenticeship.
The suspension of the course comes despite a shortage of skilled workers in the industry. Jack Etheridge, owner of Auburn Gardens in Guernsey, has been vocal about the growing demand. "There's absolutely oodles of work," Etheridge said. "For anyone half-decent, there's a six to 12-month waiting list."
Etheridge, who trained in the UK before setting up his business in Guernsey a decade ago, lamented the misconceptions surrounding horticulture. "It has a reputation for not being a real trade, but it needs people with a wide range of skills," he explained. "To be a good landscaper, you have to be able to put your hand to a lot of things in one day."
For Etheridge, the appeal of landscaping lies in its diversity and the unique access it offers across the island. "It's varied, you're outside, and you get to see parts of the island others don't get to see," he said.
While qualifications are not always a hiring requirement for Etheridge, he stressed the importance of a solid understanding of plants. "At the end of the day, landscaping is all about creating gardens, and plants are at the core of gardens," he noted.
Despite the course's suspension, TGI remains open to restarting it if industry demand shifts once more. Until then, the focus appears to be adapting to the sector's evolution—whether that means nurturing the traditional roots of horticulture or branching out into new landscapes.
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