The Hounslow Community Farming Association is a horticultural education and training charity. HCFA aims to provide the people of Hounslow with practical based horticultural training opportunities with a view to enhancing peoples employment prospects.

HCFA, in partnership with Capel Manor College, has developed a training package that may be of interest to you and the individuals with whom you work. The details of the package are outlined below:

Course: City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Horticultural Skills (7573)
www.cityandguilds.com/documents/ind_sport/Centres_Info_Sheet_Level_1_Hort_Skills.pdf

Duration: The course will run from the 12th of April to the 2nd of July. Candidates are expected to attend the course for two days a week (Thursdays and Fridays) throughout this period.

Capacity: HCFA and Capel Manor are able to accommodate up to 12 individuals on this course.

Costs: For candidates who qualify for means tested benefits the course costs £55. For all other candidates the course costs £411.

Entry requirements: This is a practical based course with very little written assessment, however, candidates should have good written and spoken English language skills

Application process: Candidates will be asked to attend a short introductory session at Capel Manor, Gunnesbury - www.capel.ac.uk/gunnersburypark/ - and will need to register their interest before the 15th March.

Location: During the 3 months candidates will be expected to attend modules at both the Gunnesbury Park site and the HCFA site at Faggs Road - www.hcfa.org.uk/faggs-road-site.

Progression: All candidates will encouraged to seek horticultural placements with local horticultural institutions and businesses or further education opportunities in horticulture. In addition, candidates will be invited to join HCFA and become actively involved in the HCFA project.

For further information contact Alex Morrell – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it