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PRO

I read a statement by a landscape firm yesterday that all of their staff are 'fully qualified professionals'.

Bunkum, I thought, that's impossible. 

No individual can ever be qualified as there's no single examination or test in the landscape industry that can be set to determine qualification. 

There's also so much diversity in the industry that all individuals would adding to their knowledge right up until the day they retire.

 

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  • From Oxcford dictionary: "1.1 Competent or knowledgeable to do something; capable."

  • PRO

    Fully qualified. It’s a blanket statement. Isn’t it? 

    I have qualifications for spraying, chainsaw, driving etc etc but that doesn’t, in my view make me fully qualified. 

    Is a professor of horticulture any better at my job? Is he/she ‘fully qualified’? Better knowledge....undoubtedly, better practical skills? Not so sure. Ability to transfer the knowledge to an everyday environment? Possibly not?

     

    i think the phrase ‘fully qualified’ is more a marketing tool than a statement of fact. I don’t state fully qualified I use the phrase experienced in and when asked I state that yes I hold relevant certification but that doesn’t mean I know everything and that I learn new things daily. I am just aware of risks, processes and best practice. That way I remain qualified to do the jobs but have plenty of scope to become better.

    • PRO

      "i think the phrase ‘fully qualified’ is more a marketing tool than a statement of fact."

      If that's the case Andy then firms are at best this is misleading and at worst guilty of the law.

  • PRO Supplier

    Nice to see the word 'Bunkum' being used again, phil ! Another word for 'fully qualified' might be baloney.  So much of this industry is based on knowledge& experience gained rather than formal qualifications. Someone with 5 years gardening/ landscaping experience is more valuable than a newbie with lots of tickets... perhaps the phrase on adverts should be; 'Experienced staff with legally required qualifications' ?

    • PRO

      Glad you liked it:) 

       

    • I see what your saying but I wouldnt necessarily agree. what kind of experience has that person obtained in those 5 years? the guy with the tickets might be raring to get his hands dirty ... or not...its never clearcut..

  • PRO

    I moved my dad into a housing association flat, it was sheltered housing, but apparently it is now supported living for the over 50's, which is a different issue, but I mentioed it so you get the picture.

    some of the residents, including my dad do some gardening, with there being some raised beds for easy access that have seating along the edge of them, to allow gardening to be carried out whilst seated.

     One of my dads' neighbours was fuming after attending a residents meeting attended by the garden and grounds maintenance team manager, he complained that residents had put in plants and sown seeds that were pulled out by the HA "gardeners", the managers reply was "How do you expect our gardeners to know the difference between plants and weeds", the elderly resident was neigh on apoplectic.

    I calmed him by saying that you would think that with a team of several gardeners the one in charge would at least have enough knowledge to say leave that one.

    Not all a team need the same skills, in fact a mixture is propably preferable, but hopefully between them they can cover the whole spectrum.

  • There is no such thing as fully qualified, nobody knows everything, That said there is a serious lack of formal training and qualification in the landscape industry which only de-values the worik people working in the industry do.

  • The words "fully qualified" are laughable 

    Myself and many of the gardeners I know, all with more than 20 years experience  are more able than any of the so called Qualified people that are around .. experience is everything ! 

    I maintain a garden where there's a garden across the rd which also  has a gardener... his van is all signwritten . RHS certified etc etc .. the guy hasn't a clue .. I've watched him !! . But that's how he sells himself  

    • PRO

      By the same token, most us know so called the ‘experienced’ landscapers and gardeners who have spent years doing work the wrong way with them not being being prepared to listen or take advice.

      The best landscapers / gardeners are those with the right mix of experience and training, have been measured against a recognised reference point in key areas.

      Otherwise the reverse is also true - anyone can say they are very experienced with a client unable to recognise until it too late.

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