Today, Friday 4 August 2023, the first cohort of Future Gardeners celebrated their success at a ceremony held today at Timber Lodge Café in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The seven students celebrated the successful completion of their course to gain core skills for jobs in the horticulture industry at an event hosted by London Legacy Development Corporation, Bankside Open Spaces Trust, Build East Skills Centre and idverde.

The Future Gardeners were welcomed into their new horticultural careers award-winning floral designer Hazel Gardiner and other industry experts. All seven of the Future Gardeners have jobs to go to in the horticultural field with four starting jobs with ID Verde. 

Future Gardeners was a free course for local people who wanted to gain the core skills to go on to access entry level jobs in the horticulture industry. Previous work experience, qualifications or specialist knowledge was not required, just enthusiasm and a desire to learn more about horticulture.

Future Gardeners was open to those who live in the boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. The course was funded by the LLDC and was run by Bankside Open Spaces Trust, in partnership with Build East Skills Centre and idverde.

The high pass and employment rate of Future Gardeners is testament to the course’s aim of getting students work-ready in just a few weeks. Participants gained a City & Guilds Level 1 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Practical Horticulture Skills, as well as securing a CSCS card with sessions held at Build East Skills Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – enabling them to take up entry level jobs in both horticulture and construction. Hands on work experience was also key, with students working in some of London’s top parks and green spaces.

In July, the East London students joined the South African Ambassador and local schoolchildren to plant trees on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day.

Lamberto Venturelli, a Future Gardener from Tower Hamlets, said: “The Future Gardeners course was a great help, especially around preparing for interviews to start a career in horticulture. I got more than I expected on the practical side, especially visiting the Tree Musketeers and having motivational conversations with head gardeners in Victoria Park and West Ham Park.”

Michelle May, Director of Inclusive Economy at LLDC said: “We are delighted that the Park’s Future Gardeners pilot has been such a success. Participants drawn from the four Growth Boroughs have brought their enthusiasm and dedication to the programme, making the most of this opportunity.  We are pleased that so many of the cohort have been successful in gaining industry relevant qualifications, securing job offers within the horticultural sector or are looking to set up their own businesses. We wish them every success in the future.”