Where are they now – Blake Hunter
Blake Hunter – 2nd year Landscaping Apprentice – working at Mician Trees and Gardens
(Photo: Blake Hunter and Mick Parker)
At the young age of 16, Blake Hunter commenced a Landscaping apprenticeship with 1300apprentice working with one of our valued host employers in the Southern Highlands region Mician Trees and Gardens.
With the support of his on-site team, Blake has learned a lot and achieved some great outcomes in the 1st year of his apprenticeship, and is progressing well in his 2nd year.
Blake’s host employer and business owner Mick Parker says “Blake displays a conscientious effort and attitude towards work, and uses feedback given to him to continually improve. Blake is well liked by his team who enjoy having him around”.
1300apprentice’s Area Manager Meagan Thorpe catches up with Blake on site to find out more.
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship in Landscaping?
When I was at school, I had all intentions of being a carpenter, but my Mum convinced me to try landscaping. 1300apprentice introduced me to Mician Trees and Gardens, and it all went from there. This is now my chosen career and I love my job. I enjoy being outdoors, doing something different every day, and seeing the job progress from start to finish.
What tasks have you completed in the 1st year of your landscaping apprenticeship?
Making a temporary driveway, building stone walls, using hand and power tools, driving/operating machinery and equipment, planting plants, hedges and trees, laying bricks, concreting, irrigation, drainage, laying turf, digging, milling, steel edging, sleeper paths, garden bedding, road based paths, mulching, laying top soil, maintaining a safe and clean work site, pruning trees, mowing, hedging, maintenance work, edging, whipper snipping, watering, and weeding.
We are currently working on a job where we will be doing earthworks, building cubby houses, creating bike paths, creating a hedge maze, building board walks through swamplands, building bridges and driveways.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Landscaping?
Try not to choose the same trade as everyone else. Give landscaping a go. There is more to Landscaping than meets the eye, and lots to discover (there is a lot to it). Wear your PPE, use correct lifting techniques, be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions, keep hydrated, pack your lunch, you need to be fit and willing to work hard, and you need to have a White card.
What do you like most about studying landscaping at TAFE?
TAFE is great, it’s not like school; they treat you more like an adult which comes with more responsibility which you reap the rewards for. Everyone thinks that you just study plants and soil but there is so much more to it. TAFE are there to help you. They want you to pass but you need to put in the effort and act like an adult.
What have you achieved in the 1st year of your apprenticeship?
I have obtained my Provisional Licence. I have learned to drive an Avant (modern landscaping machinery; like a bobcat). I have achieved a lot more on the job than I thought I would have achieved, and I have taken on a lot more responsibility.
What are your future plans and goals?
My boss Mick wants to put me through a chainsaw course which will be great to learn. After finishing my apprenticeship, I want to further my education in landscaping and I want to continue working for Mician Trees and Gardens. I really like working here and I would like to work my way up into a higher position in the business.
what do you do in your spare time?
I play football for the Picton Magpies, and play Oztag, which I have played at a state level.
If you are looking for a career in Landscaping, apply online, 1300apprentice.com.au
@MicianTreesandGardens
