TRAINING
A fresh perspective from a horticulture recruitment expert
Supporting members with industry relevant training
Written by Marian Barker Accredited Supplier, Fresh Horticultural Careers
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s we emerge from the pandemic, recruitment for our industry will become an even hotter topic. The industry will be one of the winners at the end of all this as our greenspaces, both public and private, become more important than ever with the pandemic having highlighted just how vital they are to our health and wellbeing. However, the skills shortage of the last decade will not disappear and we need to be mindful that this does not stifle growth. It is imperative that we do not waste this opportunity to promote the career choices within horticulture and landscaping. In the meantime, finding staff with both experience and qualifications continues to challenge.
Horticulture has always attracted a high percentage of career changers and
Report by Stephen Ensell
this is likely to increase post pandemic. However, the majority are most likely to opt for design orientated courses, and qualifications gained will not necessarily help us to identify those with the correct aptitude.
In the long term we need to lobby both the government and education sector to incorporate horticulture qualifications, both practical and academic, into the National Curriculum. We need to signpost the industry to our younger generations at a much earlier stage in their school career. At this time a flexible approach is needed, and employers need to be prepared to offer ongoing training and mentoring both on the job and off-site courses. Inexperienced staff need ongoing support and those newly qualified need the chance to test their knowledge in the field.
As is so often said you can train for skills but not for attitude! If you’re a member and need help recruiting for a role in the industry, contact marian@freshhortcareers.com, call +44(0)207 7937825 or visit freshhortcareers.com
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esearch over the last few years from landscape companies is showing a worrying trend that they are finding it increasingly difficult to source relevant external landscape and horticulture training opportunities for themselves and their employees. With barriers like employee time commitments, and the quality of course content, duration and costs not being appropriate, our Trade Association sees the importance of not only raising industry standards, but also playing a stronger role in supporting and supplying specific training and education. The British Association of Landscape Industries has now taken steps to see how we can support members with this challenge. Over the last 18 months, through our industry steering group, we have been conducting our own research into existing training and education, exploring and mapping this to the skills and standards that landscape companies need for their employees and the work they carry out. The intention is to develop a technical training scheme that covers these much-needed skills, based on industry fundamental standards, appropriate to the varying levels needed. This will then assist both the employer and the employee to develop essential skills and knowledge, that will help fill skills gaps.
Although the pandemic has hindered the progress of this scheme in terms of bringing it into its pilot phase, additional research work has continued, with syllabuses and assessment criteria being created for several subject areas. With the likely easing of lockdown over the next few months, trials are planned for later in the year. If you’re interested in getting involved contact stephen.ensell@bali.org.uk or call +44(0)24 7518 5611.
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LANDSCAPE NEWS SPRING 2021
