The
Future State of Landscape collates the LI’s education and practice review
findings and explores opportunities to build a sustainable future.
In 2017, the
Landscape Institute (LI) undertook extensive research into landscape education
and practice. The results of this research are now available – along with a
powerful case for a new approach to the LI’s role as a professional body.
Key findings showed:
- New
entrants to the profession have plateaued
- 41%
practice heads cite recruitment as a key challenge
- 95%
of the profession is white, compared to 82% of the UK population
- More
than twice as many men as women fall into the highest wage bracket.
In changing times,
the landscape profession must be ready to meet the needs of people, place and
nature, today and for future generations. Concerns such as resilience,
sustainability, health and wellbeing and natural capital are coming to the fore
across the world. The opportunities for the landscape profession are huge.
Yet, the LI’s
education and practice review highlighted a number of challenges the profession
faces. Not least is the challenge finding staff; over two fifths of practices
cite recruitment as a key issue. The sector also faces diversity challenges.
People with disabilities and people from minority backgrounds are
under-represented, and there is a pronounced gender pay gap at the senior
level.
In light of the
findings, the LI’s Board of Trustees has unanimously supported updating our
entry standards. Our new approach will emphasise professional skills, and a
modular competency framework will ensure that our high standards are relevant
to all fields of landscape practice.
The Institute will
consult with all members throughout 2018 before implementing any changes. The
LI is excited to be taking this work forward, and urges all members to get
involved with the consultation and help make the new framework as relevant and
successful as possible.
The first round of
consultation is expected to begin in August.
