´óÏó´«Ã½

TV and Radio  permalink

Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

• Message 1. 

  Posted by cosmicDogster (U2386238) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  I am absolutely disgusted about the latest gardening trash tv that the ´óÏó´«Ã½ and RHS have collaborated.
  
  When I was 16 I left school, Went to study horticulture for 2 years at land based college, Then went to work in gardening for 2 years and now work in a nursery and attend further education in horticulture one day a week.
  
  When i finished my National Diploma aged 18 the RHS diploma was the envy of everyone (and hopefully still is), This was because the standard for entry to study at Wisley is so high. Many people apply from all over the world each year but only a few succeed in gaining entry. I think this is best policy and is fair enough as the main entry requirements are ambition, enthusiasm am knowlege.
  
  So, How does Diarmid Gavin and his bunch of uninspiring 'career changers' get the run of Wisley and accomodation there for 6 months??
  
  Don't even start me on the show garden, any garden designer who has applyed to exhibit will have their own thoughts on that! My opinion - It stinks!
  
  Why could this opportunity not have involved any young people. The industry faces a crippling skill shortage and this cheap tv has not done anything to give the industry a younger image.
  
  I am sure that most of us would far rather follow a mixed age group and mixed background group of National certificate/ NVQ Students going through a year at college and work placement to see REAL Horticulture, the enjoyment, hard work and reward that it brings.
  
  Rant over!
  

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by LondonPlane (U2356735) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  Hi cosmicDogster,
  
  Come if any one of these idiots on this program had look at the Horticulture weekly job section. Do you think that they would want to change careers?
  
  I work in associated industry to Horticulture on the consulting side having worked for a number of Councils.
  
  I have been told that a course that when I was on it had 40 entrances now has only 16 a year! This is down to the total lack of any knowledge of the outside world of careers teachers. They go straight to school to university and back to school again!
  
  This should make me sad and angry, however as friends in the industry pointed out this skill shortage has increased our hourly rates. But the lack of people and diversity within an industry of can prevent the industry developing better methods and techniques!
  
  This program will not help attract new people into Horticulture and that is a real scandal. What will is the scheme that was reported in Horti week at Leicester City Council this would try to attract youngsters from all sections of the community. This would make a good program but no Dermot!
  

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by cosmicDogster (U2386238) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  Oh yes! I do love the Horticulture week jobs section.
  
  This is what the industry is up against. This is taken from royal botanic garden edinburgh advert..
  
  Horticulturalist
  
  Salary range £13,184 - £15,817
  
  'You should previously have two years previous work experience and hold a recognised Horticulture qualification, as well as having a wide range of practical skills.
  WE WOULD EXPECT TO APPOINT ON A SALARY BAND MINIMUM.'
  
  Made me chuckle anyway!

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by LondonPlane (U2356735) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  My all time favourite Horticulture Weekly advert went a long the lines of the following:
  
  Wanted Tree Officer in planning NO knowledge of planning laws of trees need, just a passion for them! Starting at £ 17000-19000
  
  I think the above advert was referring to my dog she loves trees but she cannot tell the difference between a root and branch.
  
  Until the starting pay of Horticulture is within keeping of other industry of similar character i.e. the building trade how are young people going to be attracted to the industry.
  
  At least the low paid industry of the past came with housing now that it does not how on earth can you afford rate let alone a mortgage!
  
  It was interesting to note that a lot of job changers already have a foot on the property ladder so starting pay is not an issue.
  

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by cosmicDogster (U2386238) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  Oh don't be like that! lol
  
  I work in the lake district and have just got a mortgage offer of £40,000!
  
  To put it in perspective the latest 'affordable' housing just went for £137,500 for 2 beds and that was 60% share!
  
  The lordships have turned the gardeners cottages into swanky holiday homes anyway.
  
  You have just got to look on the bright side, health, happiness, fantastic weather...

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message5

• Message 6

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Lord Steve (U2064703) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  a lot of job changers already have a foot on the property ladder so starting pay is not an issue 
  
  Not quite as simple as that - it is very hard to change career into a low paid job, when your mortgage and lifestyle are based on a certain level of income. Mortgages don't suddenly reduce when you switch jobs! Sacrifices have to be made. This also affects spouses/partners and children. I think starting pay IS an issue and prevents a lot of people from switching.

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message6

• Message 7

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by LondonPlane (U2356735) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  No one goes into Hort to get rich!
  
  But for the well trained and excellent gardeners working for the NT, RHS, Kew etc.
  
  I think they should at least get housing or a wage that allows them to afford decent accomendation not care of their parents!
  
  There are many very rewarding jobs within the industry, but the empolyers for far to long have been taking their staff for fools. In the contract sector of Council tenders there are lots of low pay and low skill jobs. It is not the people working within them who are at fault it is the Councils and the contracters. I always throught it very strange that they would spend huge amounts of money on equipment but very little on traning! For some reasons that can not do the maths to figure out that trained personal do not miss use and break equipment as often as untrained personal!
  
  The Hard landscapers know their worth and charge very similar rates to the building industry it is about time the rest of the softlandscape world did the same! We need get more skill people into the industry or change the way we garden our public open spaces!!!

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message7

• Message 8

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by KarmaChameleon (U2371177) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  Try training as a botanist - the money is even worse!

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message8

• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by LondonPlane (U2356735) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  I did to start with and than had some very good advice in my 1st year and changed course!
  
  
  
  
  

  Link to this forum: Oh dear! Is this really the future of horticulture?

  Report message9

Back to top