Germany: Bavarian experts discuss master craftsman training
In the horticulture business Mediflora in Geisenhausen the trainees learned how citrus plants are pruned. Photo: BGV
Christian Prentl, Chairman of the training committee at the Bavarian Association of Horticulturists (BGV) listed a number of approaches to the discussion: “We could think about strengthening regional ecology or place a new emphasis on the topic of service industries”. In the end different methods were discussed as to how access to training as a master craftsman could be simplified for people coming from other trades or for people without an apprenticeship.
The popular ‘Trainer and Trainee’ day took place within the framework of the initiative ‘Top-Ausbildung Gartenbau’ (TAG) for the sixth time now in Bavaria. At the ‘Fachschule für Gartenbau’ in Landshut-Schönbrunn Christian Prentl and the Principal Thomas Schneidawind welcomed 60 trainees in the second or third year of their apprenticeships and more than 30 trainers from horticultural businesses in Bavaria.
Drumming up support for the training programme
For the school it was a welcome opportunity to drum up support for training programmes to become a master gardener. “The owners of operations are calling us with increased frequency and asking specifically about alumni from our school”, said Schneidawind. But the aim was not for the participants to only find out about the college. The BGV, as organizer of the TAG, had put together a high quality lecture programme for both groups – separate programmes for the trainers and the trainees.
The trainers also felt that they were well understood by Dr. Hubert Klingenberger, who has a lot of experience in interactions with young people in his role as trainer and coach. His lecture ‘Train coherently – provide consistent instructions’ gave the trainers notes and methods for interaction with young people during their apprenticeships.
The Bavarian TAG initiative includes 44 horticultural businesses
A total of 44 Bavarian horticultural businesses have joined in the Bavarian TAG since 2012. They offer orientation for young people who are looking for a suitable apprenticeship company within horticulture. The association’s speaker Rut Alker is satisfied with the number of horticultural businesses showing commitment to the TAG but she also sees potential for growth: “There are some businesses that easily fulfil the criteria but shy away from the time they think is required. However, everyone who has decided to join has also stayed and is displaying enjoyment and commitment. It is worth investing the time in the annual TAG meeting”.
In the afternoon both groups visited the company Mediflora in Geisenhausen. Mediflora trades in citrus plants and other Mediterranean shrubs. The participants were fascinated by the different sizes and varieties in the Mediflora Citrus greenhouses as well as the cypress trees, shaped pine trees and similar. The staff at Mediflora then demonstrated the pruning of citrus plants on the real thing. This was watched closely by the trainees who rarely get the chance to practise this in their own companies. They expressed corresponding interest in the course of the ‘workshop’. Further TAG events are already planned. According to Christian Prentl a joint excursion in the summer is to become a fixed part of the programme in the future for the TAG businesses in Bavaria.
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