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Lands cape & Ame ni t y
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Professional Groundscare supplement
Landscape apprenticeship trailblazer project moves into next stages The first coming together of employers interested in setting up apprenticeship schemes for the landscape profession has taken place. Eighteen employers attended, with the group covering both small and large private practices along with representatives from public bodies. The group shared a common interest, seeing apprenticeships as a fantastic opportunity to shape education routes to develop new talent, improve diversity and accessibility to the profession, and use Levy funding or obtain funding for training – a key initiative to support the skills shortage within the profession. The meeting was led by Poppy Smith, Future Talent Manager at the Landscape Institute (LI) along with Christina Hirst, an apprenticeship consultant hired by the Landscape Institute to support the apprenticeship process. Through discussions, the group saw great potential in creating apprenticeship routes at both a
lower level (equivalent to A-level) and at a degree level, this structure seen to both recognise those in lower level roles and also to create an education journey through landscape apprenticeships. Options on how to include the broad landscape profession roles was also discussed where the group saw the importance of catering for this diversity. The employer group who met can be seen as the beginnings of a trailblazer. As set out by government, new apprenticeship routes must be made by a trailblazer group who works with education providers to design new apprenticeship standards for occupations within their sector. The next step is for the organisations to formally sign up for the trailblazer group, where we need a minimum of 10 employers – two with less than 50 employees. The LI is currently collating expressions of interest from organisations. “When the formal Trailblazer employer group has been formed,
Street Furniture & Pedestrianisation A look at the urban environment
Page 9-10 the members will look to write an expression of interest that will be submitted to government by early next year,” said Poppy Smith. “Timings depend on energy from the profession as well as government processes. “The creation of a new apprenticeship route can only happen with the whole profession behind it. It will take time, work and resources – but if we get it right, the value added to the profession could be substantially more.”
Those involved in Amenity keep the roads and trains running, the streets and pavements clean, our
sports surfaces in top condition and our parks fun and enjoyable places. Weed, pest and disease control is not a nice to have but essential and important. In his address, John Moverley OBE, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, urged
Businesses from across the four sectors have
developed a suite of new apprenticeships that meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and landscape sectors. In addition, a new standard for Horticulture and Landscape Supervisor has been approved and their assessment plans and training specifications are being developed.
Landscape Institute Enquiry 1
Industry conference hailed a success The flagship annual conference of the Amenity Forum reminded delegates that without professional maintenance of amenity areas, every UK citizen would be affected.
Government approval has already been secured for the new Trailblazer Apprenticeship standards for arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and landscaping, those employers involved in the initiative are being congratulated on their success.
everyone involved to have real pride in what they do and to help communicate to the wider public the important work undertaken – vital for health, safety, our environment and ensuring green spaces are fit for purpose. Sessions ranged from policy and innovation to ways of adopting a holistic or integrated approach to amenity management. John Moverley then concluded urging everyone to get behind the current communication campaign seeking to increase everyone’s understanding of the importance of amenity management. It really does keep Britain moving. Amenity Forum Enquiry 2
Birkenhead Park celebrated by world’s park professionals Wirral has successfully hosted the World Urban Parks European Congress as part of its celebrations for the 170th anniversary of the opening of Birkenhead Park in 1847. Birkenhead Park was designed by Joseph Paxton and is internationally significant as one of the World’s first municipally funded public parks. Its concept and layout inspired the parks movement for years to come. It influenced the design of Central Park in New York. There were several different events and talks that happened over the week, such as Doug Blonsky, president and CEO
Sweepers, Collectors & Vacs product spotlight on the latest machines
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of the Central Park New York Conservancy. The World Urban Parks Europe Region has been working with the Large Urban Parks Committee to develop a World Urban Parks Large Urban Parks Award. The week ended with a Gala dinner for the various parks being honoured and to bestow Birkenhead Park with the Large Urban Parks Gold Award. Wirral Council
Enquiry 3
Machinery, Plant & Vehicles New launches and case studies
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READER ENQUIRY 4
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