Retiring Training Adviser Jonathan Gradwell leaves lasting impact

When he first started at the Horticulture ITO (now Primary ITO) in 2005, Jonathan thought he’d give it six months. Nearly 20 years later he has supported over 2000 learners through their training. He has also had the satisfaction of presenting over 700 Level 4 National Certificates and “double that” of Level 3 certificates. 

“Every time I hand over a certificate, especially at Level 4, I get a real buzz,” Jonathan says. “The best thing is seeing some of those people go on to form their own businesses. My very first graduate in landscape construction now owns a company on the Kāpiti Coast and employs seven or eight staff. All their senior staff are graduates of Primary ITO.” 

Jonathan on his first day at Horticulture ITO (now Primary ITO)

Growing up in Wainuiomata, Jonathan wanted to do “something in science”. His father was an agricultural scientist and now his own son is too.  

However, Jonathan’s first career was as a police officer, spending most of his early 20s on the beat in Wellington and Porirua. Jonathan and partner Nicky bought a house and as he often worked night shift, that meant plenty of time at home during the day in the garden.  

“It was then that I started to fall in love with plants. It just triggered something, and I inadvertently found a way into horticulture.” 

Jonathan and Nicky spent a couple of years traveling in Asia, visiting the Himalayas, India, Turkey and eastern Europe. This cemented his interest in different kinds of plants and gardens. Back in New Zealand Jonathan landed a job in a nursery in Levin, where he enjoyed the challenge of growing plants while also studying through the Royal Institute of Horticulture.  

Jonathan at a nursery back in 2015

His next role was at a large wholesale nursery in Waikanae, where Jonathan was charged with expanding the business into Auckland and the South Island markets. By the time he left eight years later, he had six sales staff and had quadrupled the size of the business. 

Wanting more time with his busy growing family, he then worked for himself before being approached by the Horticulture ITO for a Training Adviser role covering the Wellington region. 

Jonathan found this role was the perfect way to combine his sales and business development skills with his passion for horticulture. 

Jonathan presenting his last certificate to Arb apprentice, Alex Gray

Jonathan presented his last certificate to arboriculture apprentice Alex Gray, from Living Planet in Wellington, on 21 February.  

Alex says, “I feel good about taking this qualification, and the experience gained while working, out into the world and continuing my career in arboriculture. 

Jonathan has worked with small businesses right through to large entities including the Wellington City Council and Treescape.  

He says work-based learning is all about the relationship between the employer, the learner, and the ITO (Industry Training Organisation).  

“I really enjoy seeing young people go from having very limited knowledge, to being supported into becoming competent tradespeople.”  

The merger of the Horticulture ITO and AgITO to form Primary ITO in 2012 provided more capacity to continually improve learning resources, including making these more user-friendly for learners and those with learning challenges like dyslexia.  

Jonathan is still passionate about the role, however it’s time to step back and spend quality time away from work. Starting with visiting their son and first grandchild in Tasmania, tramping in New Zealand and planning more overseas travel. Jonathan and Nicky will also be tending their two-and-a-half-acre garden in Waikanae.  

We wish Jonathan all the very best for the adventures ahead.