Staff from Golden Acres' four garden centres at West Parley, Three Legged Cross, Landford and Cadnam are studying for the Horticultural Trade Association’s (HTA) newly-launched Garden Retail Diploma.
Group plant area co-ordinator Emma Green said: “It’s a brand-new qualification and covers every aspect of running a garden centre. We are keen to develop our staff for the future good of the business as well as to provide the best service we can to our customers.
“The diploma will give staff a broad understanding of the whole of the retail operation and improve their horticultural knowledge, all in one qualification.
“We know that businesses who invest in training for their staff are more efficient, have less waste, and are able to assist their customers better. You are only as good as your staff, so we are very happy to add this new diploma to the range of training we offer our people.”
The HTA’s new diploma is the only specialist qualification in the garden retail industry and gives garden centre staff the opportunity to develop the specialist knowledge and skills they need to become sales professionals.
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk Photography by Phil Dowding
www.the-hta.org.uk
Picture: (left to right:) Michelle Savage, Chris Woods, Gemma Sparrowhawk and Alix Gibbins from the Golden Acres group of garden centres, who are studying for a new garden retail qualification - the HTA’s Garden Retail Diploma. With mentors David Goble and and Emma Green.
