Spotlight on Talent: Paul Reid

“The most valuable thing I got out of my course was the confidence in myself and developing my understanding of horticulture.” 

Paul Reid
Level 2 Horticulture

Paul was a care worker supporting a Horticulture student when he discovered the art and science of cultivating plants. Inspired to learn more, he enrolled onto the course at the College’s Hawbush Campus. Now, he owns his own gardening business.

After leaving school 15 years ago, Paul undertook a number of different jobs, before going into care.

“Whilst I was doing jobs here and there, I started caring for my nan who needed day-to-day support. From there, I decided to work in care and spent 12 years working in the sector, supporting the elderly, and those with special needs such as Autism.”

“I really enjoyed the tutor’s teaching”

It was when he began helping a supported learning student at the College’s Hawbush Centre that he became fascinated with horticulture.

“I was a support worker for a student at the college who was studying Horticulture. I really enjoyed the tutor’s teaching and his knowledge on plants really interested me. There is a lot of science behind it, such as how plants feed off nitrogen, which is produced by lightning and thunder. I was keen to learn more and to try gardening for myself, so I enrolled onto the course.”

“It brings a lot of fulfilment”

Paul enjoyed his Level 2 course so much, that he stayed onto complete his second year, which inspired him to start his own business.

“Through working with the tutor on the course, and understanding everything he’s been teaching, I decided to start my own business in gardening.

I enjoy everything about my business. I love helping people renovate their gardens. Some people haven’t used their gardens for years and once it’s all done up, they start enjoying their space again, which brings a lot of fulfilment to me as a gardener.

I now want to continue to grow my business, develop the landscaping side further and renovate as many gardens as I can. In also want to grow my knowledge in horticulture further.”

“This has given me the confidence to do it myself”

Alongside his technical skills and scientific knowledge, Paul also gained confidence during his course, which has helped him go far.

“The most valuable thing I got out of my course was the confidence in myself and developing my understanding of horticulture.

My tutor explained things in a way that helped me to understand how things work and how to garden well. This has given me the confidence to do it myself and start my business. To believe in myself that I can actually achieve things.”