Planting career opportunities

A partnership between The Gordon and Ballarat Group Training (BGT) is preparing our youth for a rewarding career in horticulture.

Students employed through BGT and trained by Gordon teachers John Tucker, Sophie Bult and Tony Vietenhiemer, are undertaking a six-month Certificate II in Landscaping traineeship to learn more about a career in the industry. 

The program draws its trainees from local high schools and provides an opportunity for the participants to develop landscaping and horticultural skills, along with practical job and life skills to increase their chances of securing employment at the completion of the course.

The course is based at BGTs Ballarat’s Barkley Square complex, two days per week, and has a role in developing and maintaining the grounds and gardens around the facility and in the adjacent Specimen Vale parkland. 

John tucker, horticulture teacher at The Gordon said, “Much has been achieved over a relatively short period of time with large amounts of unwanted vegetation removed to reveal some of the remnants of the original East Ballarat Gardens.”

With guidance from staff at the City of Ballarat, the gardens are again being planted out to reflect the historic nature of the site.

“The trainees and the teachers are very happy with the progress so far and look forward to being involved in the rejuvenation of this forgotten gem of a garden into the future”, continued Mr Tucker.

Students regularly work with employers on planting projects to gain a real-life sense of working in the industry. Recently they joined Chris LaFranchi of Alma Landscaping as they rejuvenated an area of the gardens.