PRESS RELEASE: JOIN A MAJOR REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT STANDARDS FOR THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY
8 April 2010 PR 1281 A major review of the skills required in management and professional occupations in the horticultural industry has begun, giving employers the opportunity to ensure their ways of working are accurately reflected.
Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, is spearheading the UK wide project, which will lead to a new list of the skills needed for staff in horticultural management roles. Lantra is seeking those with a keen involvement in the horticultural industry to register their interest to participate in meetings and help ensure that National Occupational Standards fit modern business needs. David Winn, Industry Partnership Manager at Lantra, said: “The Standards are a great tool to use in the workplace as they can be used to identify the skills needed, highlight best practice, develop training and recruitment plans, develop job descriptions and they also form the basis of horticultural qualifications. It is essential we get as many people involved in this review, especially as there has been such a substantial change to the skills demands within the horticultural industry over the past few years.” The horticulture management standards were previously two separate stand alone documents, amenity horticulture management and production horticulture management, but have now been merged into one. The original standards were last reviewed in 2005. The review process starts with a number of meetings with industry representatives, which will take place in Warwickshire on Tuesday 27 April and Tuesday 29 June 2010 and continue throughout the year. An online consultation open to all is planned for later this year. Higher Education Institutions with horticultural related provision are also invited to contribute to the review as the standards are used for mapping during curriculum development, review and accreditation. Ideas for involving your institution in the review could include using employer liaison meetings or considering student progression destination data to identify relevant employment opportunities. David concluded: “Standards cannot be developed without your help. Only by working together can we ensure that the National Occupational Standards will take into account any new business practices and make them fit for purpose and valued by employers.” To take part in the review and help the horticultural industry get the most out of the skills system, register your interest by emailing standardsandquals@lantra.co.uk, calling Lantra on 02476 858 424 or visiting www.lantra.co.uk/horticulture-NOS. ENDS Issued by: Lantra Press Office – contact media@lantra.co.uk or call 02476 858 407. NOTES TO EDITOR: National Occupational Standards National Occupational Standards offer a framework for good employment practice in the equine industry and define the skills, knowledge and experience required to work in the industry. They provide a tool for small and micro businesses, employers, careers advisors and trainers to benchmark and assess what skills are required to do a job. About Lantra • Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector, is licensed by the UK government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector. • Lantra represents 17 industries and 1.5 million workers and volunteers in agricultural crops, agricultural livestock, animal care, animal technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game and wildlife management, land-based engineering, landscape, production horticulture, trees and timber and veterinary nursing. For more information see www.lantra.co.uk.
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