Madeleine Wilson, 38, recently made a significant career change from indoor work copywriting to working outdoors at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. She’s pursuing a prized horticulture apprenticeship at one of the world’s most spectacular gardens, located on the foreshores of Sydney.
Currently, in the first year of her apprenticeship at the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, NSW, Madeleine is studying for her Certificate III in Parks and Gardens. It’s always been her career dream to work in the dirt with plants. However, switching careers has challenges, starting with a steep theory and practice learning curve and figuring out how she and her family can live on an apprentice wage.
Thanks to a new Bert Evans apprentice scholarship, Madeleine will receive financial support to help her through her apprenticeship under the mature-aged and women in non-traditional trade categories. This scholarship recognises vocational capabilities and attitudes, so it also boosts recipients’ confidence and reassures them they’re on the right track, especially for career changers like Madeleine.
Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships are open to all registered apprentices across NSW, including school-based apprentices, and the scholarships honour the late Bert Evans AO for his exceptional support of vocational education and apprentices in New South Wales.
Madeleine is thriving, inspiring and on her way to becoming the sought-after professional horticulturist she aspires to be.
