From August 4 to 8, 2014, the 7th European Professional Competition for Young Gardeners was held for the first time in Switzerland, on the grounds of the Cantonal Horticultural School in Oeschberg near Bern.
20 teams from 14 countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and the Czech Republic took part in the competition.
For many countries the date was in the middle of the summer holidays, so it was all the more pleasing that numerous teams registered. In order to use the infrastructure and the boarding school (for 110 people) of the horticultural school we had to set the competition date before the beginning of the new school year.
National teams worked on the technical tasks, in horticulture and landscaping, horticultural production and floristry. It was impressive to see how much commitment the young people showed and how they implemented real teamwork.
At the further stations the national teams were dissolved and new international teams were brought together. This demanded above all social and language skills and a good general education from the young gardeners. Here, too, it became clear what true team spirit looks like and that communication is often possible without words if the will to communicate exists.
As in previous competitions, not only the winning teams were honoured after an exciting competition, but also international teams who, through their efforts, achieved outstanding results together. A real work of bringing people together could thus be honoured.
To organize such an event you also need sponsors. So I would like to thank the many companies that have supported the competition with material donations. Many companies gave us a finacially support and last but not least thank you to the vocational training fund of Jardin Suisse (Entrepreneurial Association of Swiss Gardeners) who supported us with a generous donation.
