There is no doubt in my mind that the gardening and landscaping industries are starting to experience some tougher trading conditions.
New contracts that are being tendered for are being scrutinised closely in an effort to keep costs to the absolute minimum. The result of this commercial suicide, is a loss in quality and poor conditions for those employees on the ground.
Parks, open spaces, private and commercial gardens need a great deal of attention and asset management if they are going to give back what you put into them. One of the most important assets to any company, and key to the success of any garden maintenance contract or landscaping scheme, is the garden operatives that are employed to carry out the tasks.
The elastic has got to break at some stage but, and I am serious here, we are going to see a polarisation of labour rates that have no bearing on quality targets if something isn't done soon to change industry pay scales for the better, we are going to experience an exodus of quality gardeners who just cannot live on wages that are on offer.
Clayton Colbert, Permanent Recruitment Consultant for AndersPlus, tells me that they are working hard to get the best deals for horticulture job candidates but low wages on some contracts makes it extremely difficult to place the right candidate.
"we currently have 150 vacancies on our books but when you are asked to provide gardeners working on wages way below that of any other industries employing a similar calibre of candidate, you narrow down the choice somewhat and inevitably, sometimes, employers can make the wrong decisions based purely on economics rather than candidate qualities"
Clayton goes on to add "Advertising rates for companies choosing the traditional path to market their jobs are way too high and we would rather see any spare money go into better wages, conditions and training - something will have to give"
Are you finding it tough to find the right job at the right price in the horticulture world. Do you have a mortgage to pay and a family to feed but are forced to seek alternative employment because of poor pay and conditions?
Why not leave a comment or pop into the Landscape Juice Network and join the debate.
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