In November last year, a Malcam Trust team took over the general maintenance of the botanic garden in a project that was a ‘‘win/win'' for all involved, Dunedin City Council Botanic Garden and Cemeteries team leader Alan Matchett said.
‘‘We already have a close relationship through the 4Trades apprenticeship scheme, and this programme is another step forward.''
The Malcam Trust team, which comprises grounds maintenance supervisor Andy Birchall and trainee groundsmen Jaime Davidson (18) and Scott Butler (17), cares for the 9ha garden's lawns and edges, paths, drains, duck pond and other amenities.
The trio is also developing a composting programme for suitable garden waste.
Skills such as composting, using tools and machinery, and a general work ethic are all part of the programme for Mr Davidson and Mr Butler, who have been trainees with the Malcam Trust's youth development courses during the past year.
Both have attended the trust's Pre-Employment Group, where they took part in building the Habitat for Humanity house and completed eight work-readiness modules.
Successful completion of the preemployment programme and a twoweek (unpaid) placement with Mr Birchall at Dunedin Botanic Garden earned them their trainee groundsmen positions with the 24-week Project Green Jobs scheme.
‘‘The aim of these programmes is to help young people to become workready and to give them real-life experience in the workplace,'' Malcam Trust business and employment programmes manager Pauline King said.
‘‘These two fellows have had success at every point of their journey with the Malcam Trust and we are very proud of them,'' she said.
‘‘They have really stepped up and have developed into very good workers,'' Mr Birchall said.
Their good progress meant the two young workers might choose to go on and try for the 4Trades apprenticeship scheme at the garden, or perhaps study horticulture at Otago Polytechnic.
The Dunedin Botanic Garden maintenance programme was the pilot for the Project Green Jobs scheme, and the partnership was a ‘‘real vote of confidence'' for the trust.
It was hoped to expand the scheme in partnership with Dunedin businesses, Ms King said.
