Alystair McKenzie Joins Greenscapes Land Care, LLC as a Kent County High School Youth Apprentice

Worton, MD, March 16, 2021 — Greenscapes Land Care, LLC (Greenscapes) is proud to announce the hiring of Alystair McKenzie, a junior with Kent County High School, Worton, MD, as a Landscape Management Youth Apprentice. This is the second time Greenscapes has hosted a Kent County High School apprentice.

In March 2019, Kent County High School became the 7th county in the state of Maryland to participate in the Maryland Youth Apprentice program, which was started under Governor Larry Hogan’s administration.

“Our administration’s nationally recognized youth apprenticeship program continues to grow in popularity with Maryland’s local public school systems,” said Governor Hogan, in 2019. “Youth apprenticeship is a proven way to give our high school students a head start on a fulfilling career and give our employers access to talent trained in the specific skillsets needed for today’s 21st century workforce.”

“We are glad to be part of a community that invests in and supports the growth of our youth to provide access to attaining future goals and dreams,” said Casey Hurd, of Greenscapes. “Having a youth apprentice provides us the chance to teach and share the many aspects of landscaping. We learn as much from them as they hopefully learn from us. Building a future workforce is more important than ever in our industry.”

Liza Goetz, KCHS Ag Teacher, is the coordinator of all aspects of the youth apprentice program in Kent County. “The Youth Apprenticeship Program is a perfect blend of education and real world experience which our students all crave” Liza Goetz, KCHS Ag Teacher told us. “So often we hear how students need more hands on learning or other opportunities that are not available in the classroom setting – this is the perfect blend of all these worlds for students to develop skills they will carry with them throughout their lives, whether they choose to continue in another educational setting or go straight into the workforce.”

Alystair will perform a minimum of 400+ hours working with Greenscapes Land Care, LLC through the remainder of this year, full time through the summer 2021, and 2021-2022 school year. Hours are spread over approximately 15 different landscape areas, including hardscaping, turf care, landscape installations and maintenance, and even office work. Hours are closely monitored to ensure a well-rounded apprenticeship and included on quarterly reports to the high school. In addition, the youth apprentice is paid a fair wage.

According to Alystair, “I am glad to have this opportunity to be part of Greenscapes Land Care, LLC through the Kent County High School Apprentice program. I’m excited as it provides me unique and valuable training in the landscape industry from the ‘ground up’ techniques to office work and ultimately into landscape business ownership.”

If interested in more information, becoming part of the youth apprenticeship program or just to hear more details about how your business can get involved please contact the Kent County Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator either by email (Liza Goetz Lgoetz@kent.k12.md.us) or by phone 410-778-4540. Or by checking out https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/appr/youthappr.shtml.