RHS Response to Criticism that 24+ FE Learning Loans are used for RHS Level 3 Certificate
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The RHS is disappointed by an article in FE Week that cites the Level 3 RHS Certificate as an example of where 24+ FE loans could be spent on ‘leisure focused’ courses ‘not aimed at getting people into a job or higher education’. http://feweek.co.uk/2013/10/03/new-loans-being-used-for-leisure/
RHS qualifications are highly valued within the horticultural industry; they are used by the National Trust for their Horticultural Academy students and by RBG Kew as part of the academic studies for their horticultural apprenticeship students. In addition, over half of the students who enrol on the Level 3 RHS Certificate at RHS Qualification Centres, do so to further their careers.
Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, said: “This article reinforces misconceptions that are damaging to horticulture, implying that it isn’t a skilled career and is only a hobby or leisure activity.
“It’s even more disappointing that the article comes only months after we launched the Horticulture Matters report to Government, which highlighted that more than 70% of horticultural businesses can’t fill skilled vacancies, nearly 20% are forced to recruit overseas and almost 70% say career entrants are inadequately prepared for work.
“The shortage of horticultural skills impacts on every level of the industry; from the scientist researching plant diseases to the crop grower seeking a more sustainable secure harvest and the horticulturist advising architects on biodiversity in our cities.
“Colleges shouldn’t be shamed for advertising 24+ FE Loans with the RHS Level 3 Certificate as we urgently need to encourage new talent into the horticultural industry. One of the great things about RHS Qualifications is that they are accessible to all, from the amateur to the professional, what needs to be carefully considered is the reason the application for the 24+ loan scheme, rather than the qualification itself.”
Horticulture contributes £9 billion to the British economy each year as an industry. It employs 300,000 people from crop growers and gardeners to scientists, tree surgeons and turf specialists.