.....so says Titchmarsh in this BBC featured report:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-22516087
The report pedals the aged assumption that garden maintenance in all its forms is for the 'lesser abilities'. So be it, that's what makes news - something that resonates with the reader/viewer/etc. Sad (for us) but inevitable.
The report continues with a focus on perception formed at an early age, i.e. gardeners are those who don't do "well" in school time.
So what do gardeners need to do to "step up to the (Titchmarsh) mark"? Well, unsurprisingly, no answers are given....just opinion. So here's mine.
Get involved with a local school.
If you're not already connected with a school either directly as a parent or indirectly as a carer it is much harder, but nonetheless hugely worthwhile in 'stepping up to the mark'.
You are influencing the next generation to grow food and care for plants.
You are maintaining a public space, with lots of help(!), to the benefit of a a large audience.
And here's the bonus for your efforts - you generate business through your voluntary commitment. Parents get to know and a network for business grows.
What else would you do to "step up to the mark" and grow your business?
Cheers, Eugene
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91. tonyp2604
14TH MAY 2013 - 14:29
The "problem" with gardening is that it requires patience, diligence and some degree of knowledge that comes with experience - not an attractive proposition to those who expect everything to be instant nowadays.
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I used to run a very sucessful after school gardening club. We planted an orchard and created a veg garden on waste land at the front of the school. Kids got to grow, and take home flowers and veg. Herbs were grown and used in the school kitchen. Despite having more children than the after school football club, it was dreopped last year. Apparently the children have too much to do after school....
The RHS will today present a report to the House of Commons calling for government action to urgently address the skills gap in the horticultural industry.
A survey of 200 horticultural businesses conducted by the Society has demonstrated that more than 70% of horticultural businesses cannot fill skilled vacancies, nearly 20% are forced to recruit overseas and almost 70% claim that career entrants are inadequately prepared for work. This gloomy picture is outlined in the report, Horticulture Matters.
The report, commissioned by Britain’s leading horticultural organisations, including the Institute of Horticulture, British Growers Association, HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) and Lantra, concludes that a commitment to bridging the green skills gap is not only necessary but urgent.
The survey of 200 horticultural businesses confirmed an alarming shortage of skilled professionals in UK horticulture. The Horticulture Matters report, which will be presented to Government at the House of Commons, demonstrates exactly how this skills gap is threatening Britain’s economy, environment and food security.
Dwindling numbers of people with horticultural skills simply means that the industry cannot meet the growing demands placed on it. Horticulture contributes £9 billion to the British economy each year as an industry. It employs 300,000 people including crop crowers, gardeners, scientists and turf specialists.
The survey also found that 10% of vacancies take at least one year to fill. More than 80% of the survey respondents cited a poor perception of horticulture in schools and colleges as the issue, and 90% said it was because horticulture lacks career appeal.
Sue Biggs, Director General of the RHS, has stated that growing concern across the industry about the skills crisis has galvanised this unified call for Government action. "We’ve brought together Britain’s leading horticultural organisations to create this report.
"We are unanimous in the belief that there must now be urgent action to save British horticulture and it must happen now. Our report calls on the Government, employers and those in the education system to take action to safeguard the critical role that horticulture plays in Britain today.
"Within the report there are solutions that both the horticultural industry and Government could embrace to safeguard the critical role that horticulture plays in Britain today and must continue to play in the future. We must act now to safeguard the critical role horticulture plays in Britain today and must continue to play in the future."
The report asks Government to prioritise horticulture within Research Council and other government research funding areas to equip Britain with the high level of skilled professionals the UK needs to tackle threats posed by pests and diseases and climate change.
Source RHS: http://www.rhs.org.uk/News/Horticulture-Matters
The problem is wider than horticulture, important though that is, there is a perception that to work with your hands is of less value than white collar activities.
A craft apprenticeship when I started work involved, not only learning the practical skills but also learning the theory day release at technical college. My son completed an engineering apprenticeship recently and the same system applied, he went onto take a degree, also on day release. He left the company he was apprenticed with, a multinational manufacturer, mainly because they wanted him to go into admin rather than continue has a hands on practitioner, he was head hunted by another company that valued his practical skills as well as his intellect.
Years ago Ted Heath as an act of political expediency set up a relativities board to put a value on every job, I thought it was a good idea, one that ought to be revived. If a footballer can earn a £1000 or more a day how much is a heart surgeon worth?