The Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) is excited to bring the profession together at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on Wednesday 4 November 2026 to explore the state of education and skills across horticulture.
The CIH Skills Summit 2026 will discuss how the profession is developing the people and capabilities it needs, both now and for the future, and will demonstrate some inspiring examples of how students are exploring contemporary issues across the sector.
Open to everyone working in, supporting or connected with horticulture, the event will bring together employers, educators, training providers, and horticulturists from across the sector.
Horticulture relies upon an informed, knowledgeable and highly skilled workforce. However, the profession continues to be misunderstood and faces important questions about how people are attracted into horticulture, where practical and technical skills are developed, and whether current education and training provision is keeping pace with the changing needs of the industry.
Through a diverse range of expert speakers and contributors, the summit will take an honest look at the current skills landscape, identify areas of good practice and examine where further work is required. It will consider the entire journey, from horticultural education and early career development through to industry training and continuing professional development.
The morning programme will examine the skills position across commercial horticulture, amenity and conservation horticulture, and plant health and science. This will be followed by international perspectives, allowing delegates to compare different approaches to horticultural education and workforce development.
The afternoon will turn to how the profession responds through sessions exploring the contribution of industry training and development schemes, national skills planning, practical and regenerative horticultural skills, and the future influence of technology.
The Summit will conclude with a panel discussion bringing together education, training and industry representatives to consider how horticultural skills development can be strengthened, from college-level education through to lifelong professional development.
The discussion will help inform the CIH’s recommendations and next steps, giving those attending a valuable opportunity to share their experience and help shape the profession’s future.
George Gilchrist, President of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, said: “At a time when the horticultural industry is facing significant skills challenges, the conference provides a unique opportunity to address them.
“As an industry, we have an amazing breadth of knowledge, skills and talent across the sector. The conference will highlight the critical importance of the profession and focus on ensuring that we have the necessary skills going forward in a dynamic and ever-changing climate.
“We are thrilled to be bringing together a superb range of experts from across the industry. The day will highlight good practice from sector leaders, while also addressing the concerns and challenges facing horticulture as we look to shape its future.
“Horticulturists create global solutions for safe, sustainable, nutritious and healthy food, while ensuring that beautiful environments are developed, maintained and protected. I hope people from across the profession will join us at Kew and contribute to this important discussion about its future.”
Alongside the conference programme, delegates will have opportunities to network with colleagues from across horticulture and view entries in the Summit’s poster competition.
Further programme and speaker announcements will be made in the coming months.
Tickets are now available. To find out more and book your place, visit: https://cih.whitefuse.net/events/cih-conference-skills-summit-2026
