What he called for, is more apprenticeships. That means, more
businesses and employers being willing to taking on
apprentices/trainees.

It is already normal practice for apprentices to spend part of their
time working for their employer and the rest at FE college where they
acquire the formal training and certifications. There's no shortage of
FE colleges and courses for apprentices to attend on day or block
release (this has been going on for decades).

The reason there is a shortage of apprenticeships is that Britains
manufacturing businesses and skilled trades have shrunk and much of the
work is done abroad; and businesses that survive are often pared to the
bone with no spare staff to train youngsters from scratch.

Janet

As you say day release has been going on for many years, but that has
not been part of an apprenticeship.
Whilst a lot of this sort of training course as well as apprenticeships
are on offer with FE Colleges, very few offer a structured training in
Horticulture with a qualified instructor.
City and Guilds offer some training but the quality of knowledge of the
instructors is questionable when the C&G website says ............

"To offer this qualification please submit an application and we’ll help
you get set up - you can become a City & Guilds qualification provider
within 30 days."

The whole point of this thread was

"The lack of training for careers in Horticulture."

Almost all Agricultural and Horticultural colleges have closed, or have
greatly reduced their courses.
Whilst Local authority Parks which used to have apprentices now employ
contractors who on the whole don't have any apprenticeships.