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Serious skills shortage in UK horticulture LT
HORTICULTUREICULTU ATTERS
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The growing crisis in UK Horticulture that is threatening our economy, environment & food se
fo security
Horticulture Matters, a report put together by the RHS, HTA and other key industry stakeholders, concludes that unless we tackle the skills shortage in horticulture immediately the UK will face a serious crisis in years to come. The survey of 200 businesses confirmed an alarming shortage of skilled professionals in UK horticulture. It found that more than 70% of horticultural businesses cannot fill skilled vacancies, nearly 20% are forced to recruit overseas, and almost 70% say career entrants are inadequately prepared for work. Following the launch and presentation of the report to the Government last month, HTA Director general Carol Paris commented, ‘The importance of horticulture to the UK cannot be overstated. It plays a fundamental role in the economy, society, the environment and in ensuring food security. We need to invest in horticulture now to secure its long-term future. With such a serious skills shortage in the sector we need to change perceptions to show the diversity of exciting opportunities that exist within horticulture and how this can offer a serious and rewarding career for talented people.’ With its own dedicated training and careers team, the
A report by partners in the Horticulture industry
HTA has begun to tackle the issues highlighted within the report and will continue to support the wider ‘Timetable for Change’, which sets out the actions ahead and is detailed in the HTA’s ‘Strategy for developing people in the garden industry 2012-2014’. _The HTA’s strategy and the Horticulture Matters Report can be downloaded from
www.the-hta.org.uk/training
This month sees the fourth HTA National Plant Show take place on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June at Stoneleigh Park. Bringing together the best of UK plant suppliers under one roof, the two-day show, which is sponsored by Hortipak, provides a great opportunity to catch up with existing suppliers and meet new ones. Alongside the exhibitors there are plenty of other exciting features, such as the New Plant Awards and Visitor Vote, the seminar programme featuring James Wong, Michael Marriott and Adam Pasco, the Marketplace, International Breeders’ Area and the HTA Hub.
_You’ll find more information on the show in this month’s feature on page 21. To register for the HTA National Plant Show in advance please visit
www.nationalplantshow.org.uk
It’s all about the plants On the cover
3Horticulture Matters Industry report on skills shortages
6Cultivation Street Getting the nation gardening
6Great event ideas to drive footfall
21 A celebration of plants HTA National Plant Show
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HTAnewsI June 2013 I
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