Environmental issues
are the main driver for change in the future of the UK ornamentals sector, and
now a focus for the development of an industry skills strategy.
The finding stems
from the analysis of more than 1,100 businesses’ responses to a survey to
determine skills shortages and understand the future needs of an industry,
which contributes more than £24 billion to the country’s economy.
A shortage of skills
and access to labour followed environmental issues as the other top drivers for
change.
For a sector facing
critical labour shortages, the results have the potential to shape future
policy, focus skills funding and improve training. The call now is for the
industry to digest, discuss and develop a strategy together.
The Ornamental
Horticulture Roundtable Group, of which the British Association of Landscape
Industries is an active member, identified the need for the skills survey to be
carried out earlier this year.
Its Education and
Employment Sub-Group Chair and former AHDB Horticulture Board Member, Martin
Emmett, said: "This is a comprehensive survey covering the entire
ornamentals sector; the quality of responses provides an insight into the
potential skills shortages of the future.
"The volume of
responses which reference environmental issues demonstrates that our sector
increasingly recognises the importance of its role in environmental
horticulture. We now need to work together to set a new skills and recruitment
strategy which supports the continued growth of our industry."
Answers also showed
businesses in the sector expect automation, robotics and other technologies
will have a limited impact on workforce pressures and skills requirements in
the coming years.
Businesses noted
significant barriers in apprentice recruitment, including a lack of candidate
interest in the sector and perceived deficiencies in apprentice behaviours.
Organisations
including AHDB Horticulture, Royal Horticultural Society, Arboricultural Association, British
Association of Landscape Industries, Chartered
Institute of Horticulture and Landex
co-funded the activity. In association with the Horticultural Trades
Association and National Farmers’ Union.
Research specialist
Pye Tait Consulting gathered data and carried out interviews between April and
June 2019.
