APPRENTICESHIPS are becoming increasingly rare, but the National Trust in Erddig near Wrexham has a unique gardening training scheme.

People of all ages are welcome to apply for the three year award winning programme, called Careership.

At Erddig there are currently two Careership students.

For Jason Arnold, 38, training as a National Trust gardener has been a dream come true.

Earlier this year his determination paid off when he got a job at Erddig, the first new gardener to come to the National Trust property in 10 years.

“This is a real career change for me,” said Jason.

“I left school without any formal qualifications and have worked in all sorts of jobs, from working in a meat production factory to being a courier. It’s only very recently that I’ve known what I wanted to do.”

For more information about the scheme, visit www.ntjobs.org.uk.

The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) supports the National Trust Careership Training Scheme with a donation every year.