We have experienced some pretty significant economic uncertainties over the past few months. Some segments of our industry have seen slowdowns and challenges. One thing remains constant though — a need to nurture our existing workforce and invest in our future.

The recent Landscape Ontario Peer to Peer Network Spring Summit held April 4 at our home office in Milton, Ont., underscored the importance of investing in training, apprenticeship and staff development within the landscape trades. Discussions highlighted successful strategies and tangible outcomes from prioritizing workforce development while adopting a people-first culture strategy.

I had the privilege of talking to the staff at International Landscaping during their spring kickoff about careers in the landscape trades, with much appreciation to Baldo Gucciardi for inviting me to be part of their fantastic event. Attending the event affirmed the importance of investing in training — much of the International Landscaping team was engaged and appreciated knowing they are part of a much larger community of professionals in the landscape trades. 

After participating in several events within the landscape community over the past few months, I have observed the most prosperous companies are those committed to cultivating their workforce and investing in their long-term potential.

Several key themes emerged:

Commitment to training: Companies investing in comprehensive training programs see significant improvements in their employees’ skills and they experience less turnover.

Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship programs provide hands-on experience and valuable skills development for new entrants to the field. There are also opportunities for those who have been part of the landscape community for some time to challenge the exam.

Long-term vision: Successful companies view workforce development as a long-term investment rather than a short-term expense.

Investing in your workforce offers many substantial benefits that contribute to the overall success and sustainability of your business. Prioritizing your people leads to increased employee retention, as valued and well-trained staff are more likely to stay with a company that invests in their growth. This investment translates directly to improved quality of work, as skilled and engaged people deliver superior results. Further, a commitment to workforce development enhances your company's reputation, making you a more attractive employer for top talent and cultivating a stronger, more positive company culture. Ultimately, you're fostering the long-term health and prosperity of your organization.

Landscape Ontario is committed to supporting its members in developing and implementing effective workforce development strategies for people at all stages of their career. For students, the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation (ohtf.ca) offers scholarships that help offset the cost of formal education and apprenticeship. LO proudly supports apprenticeship and helps you to access financial incentives to support your people as they complete their apprenticeship journey. We are dedicated to recruiting passionate people to the landscape trades and getting them employed with you (such as LO’s GROW program: growtraining.ca). Finally, resources, workshops and networking opportunities provide a way for you to invest in your most valuable asset: your people. 

To me, it's clear that investing in our workforce is not just a trend but a fundamental necessity for the continued growth and success of the landscape trades. By prioritizing training, apprenticeship and long-term development, we empower our people and build a stronger, more resilient and more prosperous future for all. Landscape Ontario remains dedicated to supporting you, our members, in this critical endeavour by offering resources and opportunities to cultivate the talent that drives our industry forward.

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