Myton Horticulture originally made 50 vacancies available to Derby College Group students. However, the quality of the candidates was so high on the day that the company increased the number of offers to 88, creating even more opportunities for young people to earn while they learn.
The response from students was outstanding, with 216 applying for the roles. Of those, 214 were invited to interview, and 88 have now received a job offer.
The College’s Employer Partnership Team worked alongside Myton Horticulture throughout the process, supporting students to prepare for and take part in the interviews and helping them engage confidently with a real recruitment process.
Why part time work matters
The success comes at a time when concerns are regularly raised about the shortage of part time opportunities available to young people. For many students, a part time job is their first experience of the world of work, and its value goes well beyond a pay packet.
Flexible roles that fit around study allow students to earn their own money, build independence and develop transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, time management and reliability.
They also give young people the confidence and work experience that future employers look for, making it easier to take the next step into further training, apprenticeships or full time careers.
Stephen Slack, People Manager at Myton Horticulture, said:
“We were genuinely impressed by the Derby College students we met at the recruitment event. We came with 50 roles in mind, but the enthusiasm, preparation and potential we saw on the day made it an easy decision to offer more.
“Our partnership with Derby College has always been about investing in local talent, and we’re delighted to welcome so many young people into our team. We look forward to supporting them as they gain experience and develop their skills with us.”
Carol Dixon, Director of Employer Partnerships at Derby College Group, said:
“This is a fantastic result for our students and a real testament to the strength of our partnership with Myton Horticulture. We often hear that young people struggle to find part time work, so to see 88 students offered roles in a single event is hugely encouraging.
“These jobs give students the chance to earn while they study, gain valuable workplace experience and build the confidence and skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
“I’m proud of every student who took part, and I’d like to thank Myton Horticulture for recognising their potential and for the opportunities they are creating for young people in Derby.”
About Myton Horticulture
Myton Horticulture, previously known as Morrisons Flowerworld, has deep roots in Derby. Morrisons acquired Flowerworld in 2011, having worked with its team for almost 20 years, and the Derby business packs the majority of the fresh cut flowers and bouquets sold in Morrisons stores.
In 2020, Morrisons expanded its horticulture operation further by acquiring Lansen Nursery, a Spalding based outdoor plant supplier that had worked with the retailer for two decades.
Today, the Derby site uses around four million flower stems to create 400,000 bouquets every week, with 460 colleagues working at the dedicated flower facility.
The business is part of Myton Food Group, and its parent company Morrisons, which began as a small market stall in Bradford, is now the UK’s fourth largest supermarket chain.
Myton Horticulture and Derby College share a long standing partnership. For several years the company has invested in its Floristry Apprenticeship Scheme with Derby College, and DCG T Level Science students recently completed a hands on research project with Myton investigating what affects the shelf life of cut flowers.
Opportunities for employers
Derby College Group has a dedicated Employer Partnership Team that works with businesses of all sizes to connect them with motivated, work ready students.
The team supports employers at every stage, from advertising vacancies and organising recruitment events to preparing students for interview, making it quick and easy to find the right people for part time, seasonal and full time roles.
Employers with job opportunities who would like to work with the College are invited to contact the team at DCGRecruitment@derby-college.ac.uk.