Tim gets the greenthumbs up
30 April 2009
Tim Wood (centre) with Darren Parker from Poynton's Nursery and horticulture teacher Kerri Mewett.
Kangan Batman TAFE horticulture student Tim Wood has taken out top honours at the recent Western Youth Futures Industry and Education Awards ceremony.
Tim was awarded the Excellence for VET Horticulture award and is now looking forward to an exciting career in landscape design.
Kangan Batman TAFE horticulture teacher Kerri Mewett says that throughout his studies, Tim has shown a natural talent for garden design, and is a perfect example of how the Institute's learning pathways can lead to fulfilling, successful careers.
"While he was a student at Buckley Park Secondary College, Tim studied the VET in Schools Horticulture Certificate, and has now started an apprenticeship with Normark Landscaping," she says.
"This year, along with his apprenticeship, he'll also be undertaking further study at the diploma level to increase his industry knowledge and qualifications."
The Western Youth Futures Industry and Education Awards have celebrated the vocational achievements of VET and VCAL students for almost 10 years. Students who receive these awards are among the top performers in their fields.
With his career in horticulture and design well and truly established and headed for great things, Tim says studying at Kangan Batman TAFE gave him the opportunity to explore career options in the landscape design industry.
"I'd always really been interested in landscape design, and the VET in Schools horticulture subject was a great way for me to make the first step towards a career in the industry," he says.
"Winning the award was brilliant - really makes doing the course worthwhile."
Tim is putting his skills to good use in his apprenticeship, where he will broaden his understanding of landscape design and maintenance. He is particularly passionate about sustainability and encouraging the use of native plants in garden design, and says while native plants actually require a higher level of maintenance than many people think, a properly designed native garden can yield brilliant results.
