1 May 2023

A group of TAFE NSW Moss Vale students has had a priceless hands-on experience – and all been offered jobs – during a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show this month.

The special excursion saw three TAFE NSW Moss Vale landscape construction and horticulture students help build two showcase gardens and network with some of the industries’ biggest names.

The students were also treated to a VIP guided tour of the show and hands-on demonstrations from TAFE NSW graduate, renowned horticulturalist and former presenter on TV’s Better Homes and Gardens, Jason Hodges.

One of the TAFE NSW Moss Vale students in attendance was Mittagong landscaping apprentice Cavell Martin, who works for Tranquil Earth Landscaping. Mr Martin, 19, said the excursion would help him take his career to a new level.

“To have the experience of working with such a big team and to come away with those industry connections and friendships was something I will treasure for the rest of my professional life,” Mr Martin said.

“I couldn’t have done any of it without TAFE NSW and the course has given me the skills and knowledge to push my career forward.”

TAFE NSW Moss Vale horticulture teacher Tim Dally said the visit was a powerful illustration of how TAFE NSW gave students hands-on, practical experience and connected them with industry and employers.

“This was a truly incredible experience and the scale of the gardens they were working on was far beyond what they’d get to touch in their ordinary jobs,” Mr Dally said.

“To be able to build a relationship with someone like Jason (Hodges) and to meet so many big players in the industry was also amazing.”

Mr Dally said all three students were offered jobs at the show, highlighting the opportunities in the industry and the strong reputation of TAFE NSW training.

He said the TAFE NSW team helped construct both the Welcome Garden and Bamstone Garden at the event.

It comes amid a COVID-induced explosion in interest in gardening careers, as many locked-down residents discovered a passion for horticulture and decided to pursue a career in the field. According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook, the nation’s gardening services industry is set for strong growth in the next year, generating annual revenue of nearly $3 billion by 2024.

Media contact: Dan Johns, Communications Specialist, 0477 722 428