|
Ten good reasons to get into horticulture by Gavin McEwan Consider the following: - Nearly all branches of horticulture need fresh blood. They are labour-intensive industries, yet the pool of potential new recruits is small. So whether you are a newcomer or an old industry hand, you can follow what truly excites you in the plant world, and there will most likely be a job waiting for you. - You don't have to go into debt while pursuing long training courses. The Government is doing much to promote apprenticeships and other schemes to allow employees to learn on the job and study for a recognised qualification while still getting paid. - Because horticultural apprenticeships have been absent for so long, many of the senior managers of today, who were the last to benefit from such schemes, are approaching retirement. Committed newcomers could very soon be filling their shoes. - The importance of green spaces in combating many social ills is now widely recognised, from obesity to social regeneration. Investment is starting to follow. - Many environmental concerns are also being addressed through investment in green space. Trees, plants and lawns are now seen as having a key role in coping with our increasingly erratic rainfall. They stop our towns and cities overheating in summer too. - A more environmentally aware public are demanding food and, increasingly, plants, that have not been freighted huge distances. This and higher fuel costs mean the days of ever-rising imports are numbered. - As more people catch the "grow your own" bug, there are opportunities for retailers, nurseries and local authorities to help them produce fresh, healthy fruit and veg. - Garden retail is already proving fertile territory for investment. The arrival of big supermarkets and City financiers into the garden centre world will put some under pressure, but will also open up new opportunities for talented, ambitious individuals. - Big projects such as the 2012 Olympics, Thames Gateway and the lottery-funded Living Landmarks will provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create inspiring landscapes on a vast scale. - We are staying healthier for longer, just as the idea of a "job for life" has vanished over the hill. Horticulture offers many attractive positions for those seeking a mid-life career change, who can offer employers sought-after skills and maturity. |
