Professional Development
Humber students showcase green thumbs on HGTVLandscape technology and horticulture students at Humber College are gaining knowledge to ensure their green thumbs are in demand. But an invitation to lend a helping hand on a huge landscape project at a Burlington hospital allowed their skills to blossom. LINDA WHITE |
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 [ 2006-11-01 ] |
“It was an incredible experience,” says Dennis Del Vecchio, a second-year landscape technician student. “A lot of students in my class would never get that kind of experience. Some of us may never see that scope of project again.”
The students helped complete a $300,000 courtyard makeover at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital. The project will be featured on HGTV’s Green Force, hosted by Humber instructor Haig Seferian. His company, Seferian Design Group Ltd., coordinated the donation of all labour and materials through corporate sponsors. The episode will be broadcast next spring.
The fully-accessible courtyard will be used by patients as part of their recreational therapy and to host patient and family visits and corporate functions. “We jumped at the opportunity to work on this project,” says Bob Moulton, dean of Humber’s School of Applied Technology.
“Students got to see the day-to-day problems that might arise on a project and understand what deadlines are about. The students were absolutely enthralled. One contractor is even looking at hiring some of our students. There’s nothing like real practice to showcase your skills.”
Del Vecchio spent six days on site as a labourer working with electrical contractors, landscape designers, irrigation installers and carpenters. “We did a lot of interlocking pavers, base preparation, laying stone, planting and demolition of existing landscape,” the 21-year-old says.
He has honed his skills alongside his father, a landscape designer/contractor who owns Entire Landscapes in Mississauga. The hospital project was rewarding. “Hospital staff was so thankful and appreciated all the work we did,” Del Vecchio says.
Authentic environments
The makeover was in keeping with Humber’s commitment to creating authentic work environments for its students. It recently built a house that allows students from a variety of disciplines — including electricians and interior designers — to work together.
Humber’s landscape technology and horticulture programs are offered in a 240-acre living arboretum on its north campus in Toronto, a setting it will recreate at its new campus in Orangeville.
As part of their practical training, Humber’s second-year students participate in Canada Blooms, an annual flower and garden show held in Toronto. Each year, they design and construct a garden that can include such features as gazebos, walls, paving, planting, waterfalls and ponds.
A longtime partner with Landscape Ontario, Humber helps promote career opportunities in landscape and horticulture.
“There aren’t enough people to go around,” Moulton says. “It’s a large business that is unknown among many high school students, but it’s one of the best disciplines to get into if you want to run your own business.”
Would you ever work for a social or charitable enterprise in the third sector?