Sowing the seeds for the next generation of landscapers

GoLandscape, the careers’ arm of the British Association of Landscape Industries has been carrying out invaluable work to inspire the next generation of landscapers. Following successful initiatives to raise awareness of the industry as a desirable career path to secondary school pupils, the latest initiative #GOSchoolSuccess is set to ignite gardening passion amongst primary school children across the United Kingdom.

When is too early to start the conversation about careers with children?

In all honesty, probably never. Children imitate what they see around them in their play, especially in what they see mum, dad and grandparents doing. You may have already seen them role playing an aspect of what you do in landscaping with friends or toys, after all, we often see children playing at being doctors, police and in the fi re service, but what about those children that are unaware of the landscape industry?

Careers promotion moves into primary schools

GoLandscape has successfully been working with and promoting the landscape industry in secondary schools for the last few years. The initiative has now turned its attention to include primary schools in the campaign.

The purpose of school and education is to prepare young people for life and work, so learning should be linked to the real world. This can support motivation, hard work, teamwork and broaden aspirations, as well as beginning the process of appreciating the world of work. Whilst the children at primary school level are a very diff erent audience and the way in which messages are delivered has needed to be adapted, they are still a vital audience to engage to help support the skills gap further down the line.

Most teachers believe children should be learning about the world of work and diff erent jobs in their fi rst years of primary school.

• Nearly half (47%) believe this should start from age 5 and under. • A further 21% believe this should start from age 5 – 7 in year 1 and 2.

Talking and demonstrating careers from this earlier an age can be integral to the overall understanding of the pupil’s self (‘who am I?’) and opportunity of awareness (‘what does the world of work look like?’).

“Ignoring the process of career development occurring in childhood is similar to a gardener disregarding the quality of the soil in which a garden will be planted” (Niles, S. G., and Harris-Bowlsbey, J).

Launch of #GOSchoolSuccess in primary schools

GoLandscape has teamed up with Lee Connelly (aka, the Skinny Jean Gardener) to support his campaign

to bring horticulture skills and knowledge through a dedicated package (#GOSchoolSuccess), that supplies primary school teachers with everything they need to deliver a range of horticulture themed lessons over a year. This includes a dedicated 12-month curriculum and all the lessons and materials they need to take them through the activities.

GoLandscape has added to the package a range of materials and activities designed to help teachers talk about the careers linked to the lessons and sow the seeds for a future generation to fi nd a career in our exciting and rewarding industry.

How can Association members support the campaign?

The Association is asking Association members to support this initiative by sponsoring a package(s) in their local primary school(s). By sponsoring a package, it means that you are directly supporting a local school that maybe your own children, grandchildren or employee’s children attend, that will teach pupils horticulture skills as well as raising awareness of the careers in the landscape industry.

To sponsor a school class, please visit skinnyjeangardner.co.uk/

goschoolsuccess

Written by Stephen Ensell

Education Offi cer (GoLandscape)