By Cassandra Garrard
LO Environmental Coordinator
I have been assisting employers and employees with navigation of the Horticulture Technician 441C Apprenticeship program registration process for the past six months now, and the more I learn about the program, the more I am blown away by the many benefits to employers and employees. Every employer in the landscape and horticulture profession can benefit from the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship Program (HTAP) — and I’ll tell you why.
Free help applying
Landscape Ontario is here to help employers and employees to navigate the registration process from start to finish. The registration process that includes the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) and the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) can be a long and confusing process. But not to worry, LO will look after the details for both employers and employees every step of the way.
Landscape Ontario will help guide each employee/apprentice through their entire journey. We will connect with them regularly, are available to answer questions, and will make sure they have all the resources needed to succeed.
Improve employee retention and support a dynamic team by investing time and energy in an employee’s technical skills development. Not only will they become more knowledgeable and better equipped for their role, they will see that their employer supports and encourages them to grow.
In-class training takes place for 12 weeks over two winters during the off-season, starting the first week of January each year. Apprentices can be eligible to collect Employment Insurance (EI) while attending in-class training. The rest of the year, apprentices work for their employer, as usual, receiving on-the-job training.
Do you have a current employee that would like to expand their knowledge and skill? If you have a ‘shining star’ you don’t want to lose, the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship Program may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Start the registration process in spring
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) allocates classroom seats to each Apprenticeship program based on the number of registrations the prior year. Last January, 10 apprentices missed out and had to wait until January 2021 to start in-class training. The registration process can take up to two months to complete, so it is important to start early. We encourage you to secure a spot by June so there are no disappointments. The earlier Landscape Ontario receives registrations, the earlier we can begin to advocate for larger class sizes.
How to register
For more information about the Apprenticeship program or to register, visit HorticultureTechnician.ca or contact Cassandra Garrard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2397 or cassandra@landscapeontario.com.
