Page 23 - Landscape-Issue138

FEATURE

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

IS URGENTLY NEEDED

By Joanne Hilliar, Landscape Design Consultants International

For many years, there has been an ongoing urgency for efficient skills development
training, particularly at the gardening interface and higher up the line – team leaders
and supervisors – in order to bring about skills upliftment in the green industry.

he evidence of poor installation, with often little
to no understanding of the work to be executed,
Tis very evident in the layout of landscapes and
management thereof.
As a consultant overseeing, assessing and auditing
landscape work, it is very concerning to me to see
that neglect for detail is becoming more and more of
a problem. Sub-standard work is not acceptable.
Contractors need to urgently organise training
of their staff and focus on the application of job
skills, including retraining and follow up work for
consistency. This applies at all levels in the industry,
with particular emphasis at the installation and
maintenance phases to ensure consistency in the
management of spaces.
Training budgets seem to be falling away quite
dramatically, with little or no effort from contracting
companies to create efficient training opportunities,
especially for new staff who are brought in and
expected to undertake site work.
In addition to the quality of installation and
maintenance standards, team leadership, supervisory
input and management direction are also very poorly
executed. Overseeing of staff seems to be lacking
on the part of the management team, with regard
to knowledge of the process, assessing and fixing
the tasks at hand. As I audit large commercial sites
in South Africa and externally, it is very evident that
poor standards of maintenance and delivery thereof
are now the norm in managing landscaped spaces.
Clients cannot be expected to accept poor
management and untrained staff. The correct skills
application in space management is vital; if this is
lacking, contractors could face the possibility of
removal from the site.
Landscape Design Consultants International
specialises in:
• overseeing contracting sites;
• assisting clients and contracting companies to
embark on serious staff development and training;
• ensuring a positive turnaround of more qualified
personnel to do the job efficiently.
It is essential to acknowledge poor delivery
as clients are becoming increasingly aware of
contractors performing poorly.
A big turnaround in this area is necessary so that
staff, present and new, are given the opportunity
to be taught how to correctly apply their acquired
knowledge back into the work situation.

Contact Jo-Anne Hilliar of Landscape Design Consultants
International for auditing expertise and training on 082 570
5858 or email info@ldconsultantsinternational.com. Visit
our website www.ldconsultantsinternational.com
n

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