On Monday (23 February) the nine landscape gardening apprentices will be marking the start of National Apprenticeship Week during a makeover of the courtyard at The Shakespeare Hospice.

Lantra is running the event to highlight the role of apprentices in helping firms maintain and improve business productivity during the economic downturn.

Budding landscape professionals from Warwickshire College will be creating a space that will also celebrate the hospice's 10-year anniversary.

Lantra's West Midlands Partnership Manager Ros Burnley said:

"An apprenticeship provides essential practical skills and technical knowledge and qualifications needed to increase the skills of a workforce. These skills will improve productivity - which is essential during these times of economic crisis."

Worcestershire-based commercial landscape firm Landscape Excel managing director Martin Bell will also discuss how apprenticeships can help companies.

Overseeing the project on Monday is landscape gardening expert Steve Boxall from Warwickshire College.

For more on the events during National Apprenticeship Week visit the Lantra Apprenticeship website