Why is it important to train landscape apprentices?

This is a column by landscapers, for landscapers. In it, you’ll find knowledge, views and insights from professionals just like you, who are currently working in the industry

MORGAN + POLLARD LANDSCAPES

Interviewee: Adam Pollard – Managing Director

Location: Christchurch

Staff: 60

We believe that training apprentices is essential for keeping industry standards high. We were all trained by someone once, and we believe we have a duty to train others in the same way. Some employers have concerns about training someone, who may then leave

– but whether apprentices stay long-term or move on, it’s better to invest in good people than risk a shortage of skilled landscapers in the industry.

Providing nationally recognised qualifications and real on-site experience has been part of

our approach for more than 30 years. We currently have four apprentices on the books and their training gives them clear goals, helps them understand what they are doing and why, and boosts overall job satisfaction.

As apprentices move through Level 3 and Level 4, their productivity increases and so

do their wages, reinforcing the value of hard work and continual learning.

Modern landscaping has become far more technical – involving councils, health and safety requirements, plan interpretation, digital tools, and contractual variations. Apprenticeships provide the grounding needed to reduce mistakes, improve productivity, and build confidence that work will be completed to a high standard.

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NEW VISION LANDSCAPES

Interviewee: Michelle Butler – Apprentice Co-ordinator

Location: Nelson / Tasman Staff: 31

We currently have seven apprentices and believe that apprenticeship training helps develop a skilled, knowledgeable and adaptable workforce. Our industry requires a diverse

set of skills. Apprenticeships provide a structured pathway for individuals to learn these skills through on-the-job training.

We strongly believe that apprentices bring a fresh perspective, an eagerness to learn and a strong work ethic that is valuable to any landscaping business.

Investing in apprentices also helps strengthen a team, provides a succession plan, and ensures knowledge stays within the business.

If we, as an industry, fail to train the next generation, we could face significant gaps in expertise. This may lead to increased reliance on less qualified workers or even a shortage of available talent.

The result could be lower quality work, safety issues and difficulty keeping up with emerging trends, such as sustainability and technological advancement.

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SOLE LANDSCAPES Interviewee: Jonny Marshall – Project Manager

Location: Wellington

Staff: 20

We put a lot of time into training our staff, because we want to lift the standard of what a landscaper is. We want people to know that if they are hiring a qualified landscaper, they are going to get a mint job done. Unfortunately, we still see examples where we are called in to fix work that is not up to Building Code.

I’ve been with Sole Landscapes for eight years. It has been an epic journey. I started as a labourer, completed my apprenticeship, became a foreman and am now a project manager. I love helping our apprentices progress through the ranks.

We have seven first- and second-year apprentices on the books right now. They are completing either Level 3 or Level 4.

Apprenticeships are constantly evolving and are starting to include more theory. It can be

a tricky balance, because many landscapers join the industry to work with their hands, not get bogged down in theory. That said, theory is an important part of doing the job well.

I see apprenticeships as similar to university in that the key focus should be teaching apprentices how and where to find the information they need. This helps them become independent learners, rather than overwhelming them with too much theory during the course.