Training, skills and workforce development are key to business success. That’s why we work together with you so you can access the training, qualifications, skills and knowledge you need. Read more...

Leading the Way

To a skilled and successful industry.

 

We work to set the standards and qualifications so you can be your best

Setting your standards

Every three years, we work with you to review the jobs, skills and activities people carry out within horticulture, landscaping and sports turf to ensure your National Occupational Standards (NOS for short) are up-to-date.

NOS are great for businesses, both small and large, providing the valuable information you need to develop job descriptions, training and recruitment plans. They help you recognise what skills are missing in your business and find the most relevant training and learning you need. Importantly, NOS will also form the basis of horticulture, landscaping and sports turf qualifications.   Read more about NOS.

Apprenticeships

You value the on-the-job training an apprenticeship provides, so we work with you to review the horticulture, landscaping and sports turf apprenticeships to ensure they meet the current needs of the industry.

View the horticulture, landscaping and sports turf apprenticeship framework.

Bite-sized and flexible

You told us you wanted more flexible qualifications. The new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF for short) is proving to be a breakthrough in how people’s skills in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are recognised and accredited.

The QCF allows you to custom-make your qualification as you can ‘pick and mix’ what units of learning you want. By working with you on their development, you have absolutely influenced these new qualifications so they provide the best mix of knowledge and skills required.  We are even looking at how qualifications that can be delivered through a continual professional development (CPD) route to enable busy staff to build a qualification as they update and improve the skills they need for their job. 

Our research programme tells us what you need

We understand the skills and business requirements of your industry. Through our far-reaching and trust-worthy investigations, we can identify the needs of the horticulture, landscaping and sports turf industry, providing the proof you and others need to make the right decisions.

Each year, our Skills Assessment report sets out the skills shortages of today’s workforce, and predicts what is needed tomorrow. What does it say about horticulture, landscaping and sports turf?

Help you to achieve Investors in People

Investors in People is all about improving your business and addressing these issues by allowing you to focus on your business.

With our vast knowledge and expertise in the land-based and environmental sector we've been approved to deliver Investors in People in England to meet your precise business needs - whatever its size. In fact, it's our years of specialist experience that set us apart, as we are the one and only dedicated sector expert licensed to deliver the IIP programme.

We actively champion horticulture, landscaping and sports turf as a good career choice

We work with you to raise awareness of the range of career opportunities that are available in this dynamic and exciting industry.

We produce information on horticulture, landscaping and sports turf job roles so people considering a career in the industry can find out what they all involve. We work with you to ensure that this material is accurate and reflects what industry wants. We are currently looking at profiles for all jobs within the industry.  Can you help?

We point you towards funding opportunities for training and skills

Our brand new Fund Finder  tool will help you find what funding is currently available to you, so you can take advantage of the opportunities out there and get the most out of training.

We identify the right training for you and help you find it

You told us that many of your skills are developed in the workplace and not the classroom. So we developed a simple to use, online tool, Skills Manager, which records all your skills, achievements and qualifications. This can also help you manage staff more effectively, by recognising and assessing employees training needs in a cost effective way. More about Skills Manager.  

Our CourseFinder does what it says on the tin. A database of over 8,000 courses from hundreds of training providers, it allows you to quickly and easily search for the course you want, in a place near you. Search for a course.

We ensure your voice is heard

Our voice is your voice. We take time to listen to you so we can accurately represent your needs and influence those who make the decisions, especially on issues such as skills and funding.

Find the staff you need

You want to be able to find the right staff to help your business grow. This means people that have the skills to get the job done. Our Job Shop helps you match candidates with your vacancy, quickly and easily. Find out about how Job Shop can help you . Or advertise your vacancy in Jobs

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