TRAINING
Will today’s industry skills be the same tomorrow?
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here is no doubt that everyone recognises the importance of future proofing their business. Make plans today and strategise to make sure you have a thriving business going forward. Part of this will be making sure that you, and your employees, have the right skills going into the future. Upskilling will also support progression of employees into different positions, strengthening your company overall. The industry recently came under the microscope when a Horticulture Sector Skills Survey was carried out. A large part of the survey looked at the skills gaps that the industry currently faces as well as identifying the future skills that may be required, in order to aid with prioritising training.
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LANDSCAPE NEWS AUTUMN 2021
A safe company is a healthy company
Health and Safety was unanimously sited as one of the top two most important skills required, both now and in the future. If businesses are to survive, function and hold a good reputation with clients and employees they must operate safely with its workforce adhering to current Health and Safety standards and practice. Therefore, if employees do not already hold them, they should consider gaining a landscape specific health and safety certification like ROLO to demonstrate competence in working safely. The certification can be gained at Operative, Supervisor or Managerial levels – read more on page 8. If this is needed for site access, then an application can be made for the appropriate LISS/CSCS card.
Let the tool do the work
In every industry, the advancement of technology and machinery is paramount to its survival and our sector is no different. Machinery and tools have been developed to help the landscaper in their daily tasks, from cutting grass to moving and shaping the ground on a new project. Landscapers can lose valuable time when machinery is damaged, breaks down or is used incorrectly. Therefore, the value of a qualified machine operator is in high demand, along with people that know how to use equipment correctly, safely and to its full capability, and knowing how to check it and make simple repairs. This was seen to only get more important going forward, with the need for industry machinery tickets potentially leading the way in supporting the workforce.
