Interview

Image Credit Scout Johnstone

Strategy, careers and communication

Looking forward to a bright future

Nigel Bowcock and Tessa Johnstone are the new Chair and Vice Chair of the

British Association of Landscape

Industries. They are keen to support the senior management team with the Association’s progression and support members. Here they talk about the new strategy and the issues facing the industry.

There’s many benefits to being an Association member, “It’s more than just putting a sticker on a van to validate your business - you earn your membership by being an exemplar landscaper, supplier or designer and that badge is just the first layer of how the membership can help your business” says Tessa.

Nigel adds, “Many members don’t know about our dispute resolution process, our technical bulletins or BALI Insure or they don’t engage with the Association locally. We must look at how our messages go out and how members can engage with us.”

Nigel knows everyone is facing similar challenges. Labour shortages, inflation and access to materials are real problems. Industry constraints such as the removal of red diesel usage and Brexit affect everyone. He believes the new strategy is the framework to provide clarity on the vision, it’s mission and exactly what the Association’s values are.

Tessa: “The Association’s lobbying of Government is vital for the UK landscaping industry.”

She also feels strongly about validating jobs other people perceive as unskilled work. She added, “Whatever your skill base is, you definitely have something to bring to the party.”

GoLandscape

Nigel started the GoLandscape initiative with David Dodd. It remains a viable solution to solving the skills gap. The premise is, ambassadors give their time to visit schools, colleges and industry events to attract school leavers and career changers into the industry. Anyone from the army to accountants have moved into landscaping and for the past seven years, hundreds of school leavers have too. More than 200 events have been attended so far.

Nigel: “For the next three years we intend to get our ambassador numbers up to three figures. We currently have 85 ambassadors. We want three events attended per ambassador per year. Crucially we are looking for a new Education Officer. If anyone knows anyone who can fill the role they can get in touch with the team at Landscape House.”

Career options across the industry cover a huge spectrum. Nigel explains, “Our church is so broad you could be a designer, an irrigation engineer, a soil scientist, a landscaper… there’s huge breadth to the industry; there’s a role for everyone.” Landscape GO building real careers

Tessa is equally as passionate about GoLandscape, “For me it’s about the Association not just talking about the skills shortage, but creating a viable initiative such as this that delivers at grass roots level.”

Nigel’s passion for GoLandscape is clear, “GoLandscape is a serious force for change. Already the initiative has brought many young people into the industry, who before meeting one of our ambassadors might not have considered it a career. It really is life changing.”

The BALI Academy

The Association is aware how bad the resourcing levels are at colleges. Government cuts to funding mean colleges are offering the bare minimum of training, students are not industry ready.

Nigel said the big goal for the next two years is the BALI Academy. “This will ensure the industry is training its people to the correct standards. We will also be able to offer further training for existing members. The planned trial will be based in Surrey, in the South Thames region. Once we’ve learned from this trial, we will look at a National Academy.”

Tessa added, “It’s all part of the support and endeavour side of the Strategy. We can help people identify and achieve their ambitions and invest time and resources developing skills.” Association members are known for being generous with their knowledge and documenting standards will be a part of the Academy’s remit.

Inclusion and diversity

Tessa and Nigel are excited about the industry becoming more accessible and appealing - especially to teenagers. Diversity is being embraced as a positive to help the industry grow and thrive. Tessa “Differences really do make for a stronger team. Celebrate people’s individuality and what they bring. Look to people you might not immediately look to when filling a role. Help those who show potential and are perhaps a little unsure if they will fit in.”

Nigel agrees with Tessa; representation across society is needed - if you want to extend your reach.

Mental health

An initiative which has so much meaning is training Mental Health First Aiders.

Tessa undertook the course with Bianca Jones, EDP Training of Bristol. “Bianca’s empathy and lived experience makes the course so authentic. It’s intense and I admit to struggling with some demons myself as I undertook the course. But it was invaluable and so worth it.”

The mental health course is over two days. The hope is, by the end of 2023, every Association company will have a Mental Health First Aider.

Nigel said, “I’m not sure there has been anything more important or rewarding, it’s incredible. When you shout about stuff people do listen. We want members to get involved.”

Mental health is an issue personal to so many, everyone knows someone who would appreciate some extra assistance. It’s harder for small businesses to accommodate the course into the working week, but Tessa and Nigel know it’s worth and know members know this too.

Communication

Communication is the thread which runs through everything. Nigel: “We need to improve communication. It is crucial members know relevant information. A recent example is, thanks to Government lobbying, we were exempt from the hosepipe ban. If we could have got that message out quickly, there would be less panic and worry.”

Improving communications in all areas is an ongoing process. Whether it’s headlines on your phone or simply engaging more locally.

“Regional events, meetings, networking… you learn more from speaking with your peers than anyone else, it’s the same as talking to your employees - those golden nuggets. Industry players are happy to impart their information for free and that is invaluable.”

Nigel believes the challenge is to openly communicate with all levels of membership. There is a real need to be more coherent and strive for more membership engagement.

“I’m an industry person and have worked my way up. I have an appreciation and can empathise with any position our members hold at this moment and any business challenges anyone is experiencing. I think I’m a fair representation of time spent as an industry landscaper. I can communicate solutions and support where needed.”

If you’re working hard and have “ an issue that is affecting your business, if you want to us to lobby the Government, talk to us and we can take action. “

Nigel concluded. “If you’re working hard and have an issue that is affecting your business, if you want to us to lobby the Government, talk to us and we can take action. I am happy for members to contact me directly nigel.bowcock@bali.org.uk.”

Summary

All the themes tie in beautifully with each other. Tessa and Nigel intend on delivering the Strategy full stop. Tessa said, “It really is important we represent, support and accredit the landscape industry.”

With the synergy these two have, it is clear communication is at the forefront of the support they want to offer.

The final word went to Tessa, “It’s important to remember, if you are an Association member, you’ve earned your membership and are doing more than a good job.”