5 minute read
Chief Executive’s Report
Association introduces new Supervisor and Manager level ROLO courses and returns to outdoor events
We are pleased to have launched two new training courses at Supervisor and Manager level, to join the popular Register of Land-based Operations (ROLO) Operative level course.
The new courses will enable our industry Supervisors and Managers to receive the appropriate level of health, safety and environmental awareness training and apply for their Landbased Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (LISS/ CSCS) cards.
The Supervisor and Manager level courses have been developed by the Association to meet the training needs of the land-based sector. They are fully supported and approved by CITB and Build UK as equivalent to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Site Supervisor and Site Manager courses, SSSTS and SMSTS.
The Association plays an essential role in the safety and wellbeing of those that work in the landscape industry by raising industry standards through training. ROLO courses address the specific safety and environmental challenges the sector faces, providing specific training and keeping candidates up to date with the latest knowledge and skills to work in the landscaping environment.
Read more about the introduction of the new Supervisor and Manager level ROLO courses on page 8.
A return to outdoor events
It has been great to get back into faceto-face events and the Association and the team at Landscape House have been getting back out promoting both the benefits of membership as well as promoting you, our members to the general public. Show season has kicked off in style and we have attended the following events so far: • RHS Hampton Court Palace • RHS Tatton Park • Belvoir Castle Flower and
Garden Show
With many Association members winning a myriad of show medals, I would like to congratulate every one of them for ensuring that our industry is continually promoted as a professional industry and for keeping the general public and business engaged in the fantastic industry that we are in. Read more about the successful return to show season on page 24.
The Association and its careers initiative, GoLandscape, joined forces with Oakham Garden Services to create a spectacular ‘Bring your holiday home’ themed garden at Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden Show.
This is the first time that the Association has created a garden at Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden Show and the 2021 garden theme was a nod to the increased number of ‘staycations’ being embarked on during the pandemic. The Association also promoted careers in the industry through its GoLandscape initiative, continuing its work addressing the industry skills gap. Education Officer Stephen Ensell was there to chat to career changers, school leavers, parents and teachers about the benefits of a career in the horticulture and landscape sector.
National Connects – the perfect networking opportunity
Our National Connects are a great way of keeping in touch with the Association and to network with other members.
Do join these informal online networking events to share your experiences, or discover them for the first time by hearing from the experts. The monthly events are open to all members from all regions. To find out more visit the events page on the website bali.org/events
National Awards 2021 fast approaching
We are looking forward to the BALI National Landscape Awards and are thrilled to be planning a return to a live event at JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London.
Two new training courses at Supervisor and Manager level Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden Show
It has been another fantastic year with the expert judging panel, led by John Melmoe, reviewing 158 entries received - yet another record year for number of entries, proving that the largest landscaping Awards in Europe is still succeeding in entering the history books 45 years on.
Emily Feeney, Events Project Manager and the team at Landscape House have been working hard to market and promote the benefits of winning a prestigious National Landscape Award to over 950 Accredited members. There are now more Accredited Contractors, Designers, Suppliers and International members entering than ever before with a good number of first-time entrants which is always great to see.
Following the judge’s deliberation at Landscape House at the end of August, we are delighted to share the winners with you on page 28 of this issue. A huge congratulations to everyone involved.
You will be able to read more in this issue on the winners and how to book your tickets for this year’s ceremony on 3rd December 2021 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London.
Congratulations to all those that have won awards and wishing you all the very best for those coveted Principal and Grand Awards on the day.
Membership Satisfaction Survey
We will be sending out our annual membership satisfaction survey in the autumn. This is a great opportunity to feedback your thoughts on your membership with the Association, to shape the business plan and focus on you, our members. I look forward to seeing your feedback and how you feel we are working on your behalf. As always, this is your opportunity to tell us your thoughts on a whole host of services and products including the staff at Landscape House who, I hope, you feel represent you as a member in the most professional of ways.
Member communication and benefits
To make the most of our marketing and communications, have you considered adding colleagues to our mailing lists so that they can receive our weekly emails and digital copies of Landscape News? Simply contact Jo in membership to add your colleagues, jo.todd@bali.org.uk. We continue to update the website on all things COVID-19, Brexit and plant health related so please be sure to visit bali.org.uk for all the latest updates and to find out more about the variety of member benefits available to you. And finally, a pause for thought. Whilst the industry seems to be booming at present with great order books ahead, we shouldn’t forget those who are not quite as fortunate, those that have already experienced real hardship and, in some cases, have had to close their business and let staff go as it has no longer been viable or possible to keep the business going. I would remind all our members that at times like these we should turn to the myriad of help and support provided by the charities in our sector to see if they can help. Perennial has experienced an almost 400% increase in calls during the pandemic. They have not only risen to this challenge but also maintain a level of support, guidance, and advice that colleagues in our industry experienced before the pandemic.
For more information or help please visit perennial.org.uk
As always, thank you for your continued support and promotion of the British Association of Landscape Industries.
Best wishes.
Wayne Grills
Chief Executive
