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The National Coppice
Apprenticeship Scheme is a partnership project
between the Green Wood Centre and the Bill Hogarth
MBE Memorial Apprenticeship Trust. The scheme,
and the Coppice Diploma that carries his name,
were developed by BHMAT with inspiration from
the life and work of the late Cumbria coppice
merchant Bill Hogarth. Bill learned his trade
from his father and worked as a coppice merchant
in Cumbria for 56 years, He was passionate in
passing on his skills, so earning himself an
MBE in 1995 for services to the coppice industry.
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The apprenticeship programme is a three
year diploma which includes chainsaw training,
learning a wide range of crafts, heath and
safety, working within an established coppice
business and developing a new business. Apprentices
are sponsored by coppice businesses with
supplementary financial support in the form
of a bursary.
Each apprentice will work with an experienced
coppice worker for three years, with the
aim that they gradually become more independent.
The programme is accredited as a Lifelong
Learning Diploma at level 3. |
James was the first graduate of the Bill Hogarth
Coppice Diploma and has now set up his own business
in Cumbria:
"It has shown me something that I didn’t
even know existed. I was doing a dead-end job
and
now I am doing something that I love: working
with nature in the outdoors.”
James Mitchell – self-employed coppice worker
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How
to get involved?
The first step in applying for the National
Coppice Apprenticeship Scheme is to come
on the Week in the Woods course. This is
held in a different location each year
and provides participants with a range
of taster workshops in coppicing and green
wood crafts. It is an accredited course
and is the entry module for the full apprenticeship.
Click here for information
about A Week in the Woods 22-26 September 2008
>>
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Please
go to the courses page if you would
like to book on Week in the Woods.
Call Fran Fowkes at the Green Wood Centre
on 01952 432769 or e-mail
franfowkes@smallwoods.org.uk for
more information about Week in the Woods
or
becoming a Coppice Apprentice.
Supported by: The Headley Trust, The Radcliffe
Trust, The Ernest Cooke Trust, The Batty
Trust and Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. |
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