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EDITOR'S BLOG

CRISIS IN THE GRASSROOTS
Industry must unite to secure future
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

With young people struggling to find jobs and our sector facing a recruitment drought, now is the time for industry-wide collaboration to attract the next generation of turf professionals.

For some time now I have been posting articles about the issues surrounding recruiting and retaining staff in our diverse industry.

Travelling around the country, I get to meet and talk to seasoned professionals, who have worked in the industry for many years. Nearly all of them have major concerns for the future of our industry - in respect of recruiting a new generation professional horticulturalists, greenkeepers and turf professionals.

A recent article on the BBC talked about how 16-24 year olds are finding it increasing difficult to get a job.

“Young people have told the BBC they are finding it harder than ever to get a job, with some graduates frustrated at being turned down for roles at supermarkets," it said.

According to the article, the government says getting more young people into work is a priority but UK job vacancies are at their lowest level in nearly four years.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents supermarkets, told the BBC young people would be hit hardest as firms cut back on hiring because of rising employer costs and forthcoming changes to workers' rights.

Recruiting young people into the groundskeeping and greenkeeping industry in the UK is challenging due to a combination of practical, cultural, and economic factors.

For many years we have seen starting salaries for groundskeepers are often below the UK average. This combined with an image of limited perceived career progression has not encouraged youngsters to join our the industry.

Youngsters’ perception of the workplace can be viewed as manual, repetitive, and unglamorous. There's also a lack of awareness about the skills involved. Horticulture, turf science, machinery operation, and environmental management are rarely promoted in schools.

Regarding working conditions, the job often requires early starts, working outdoors in all weather, and physical labour, which can deter younger candidates used to office-based or flexible work environments.

One of our biggest problems is that school leavers are not aware of the scale and size of our industry and career opportunities available.

There is also limited outreach by the industry to go into schools, colleges, or online platforms where young people engage, to promote the values and opportunities of working in this industry. Compared to industries like tech, fashion, or media, groundskeeping lacks presence on social media and in popular culture.

Groundskeeping is rarely presented as a viable or respected vocational path, despite opportunities for specialisation and advancement. And there is generally a misconception about skills required to work in the industry. Many assume it's an old-fashioned industry, not realising how modern groundskeeping uses technology like GPS mowing, irrigation automation, soil data sensors, and turf analytics.

For me, I think it is about time many of our key industry organisations stopped working in isolation and began collaborating together to promote the industry nationally. I’d like to see them set up a nationwide campaign to go into every school and tell them about career opportunities - and then create a new pathway scheme to get into the industry. This could essentially be a new apprenticeship scheme that facilitates 5,000 apprentices a year for the next five years. That would mean we could have potentially 25,000 new recruits for our industry in the coming years.

This would require working with all the UK colleges and universities to help facilitate this new programme and getting our hands on some of the government money they have set aside for apprenticeships.

I believe it is an opportunity that could be realised if the like-minded came together.

NEWS

EFL GROUNDS TEAMS OF THE SEASON REVEALED
Across all three leagues

In our our first WEB ONLY story, the EFL say the awards celebrate the staff who have produced the best quality pitches in each division across the course of the campaign.

REBRAND FOR AMENITY FORUM
Representing a new era

In our next WEB ONLY story, the Amenity Forum say their refresh reflects who they are today and where they are headed.

HUSQVARNA SIGNS MULTI-YEAR DEAL
With global golf tour

The partnership will see the brand and products feature across on-course and digital branding, product showcases in tournament villages and hospitality platforms.

Husqvarna has signed a partnership with the DP World Tour - Golf’s Global Tour - as it becomes an official partner to the Amgen Irish Open and the Betfred British Masters.

The multi-year partnership will see Husqvarna’s brand and products, including its CEORA, Automower 580L EPOS, 550 EPOS and 535 AWD EPOS feature across on-course and digital branding, product showcases in tournament villages and hospitality platforms at the two events - which make-up part of the Tour’s iconic “Back 9”.

Beyond the two staple tournaments, the manufacturer also becomes a corporate partner to the BMW International Open on the Tour’s European Swing until the end of the 2027 season, as it strengthens its footprint across the golfing landscape.

Samantha Donnelly, senior marketing manager at Husqvarna said, “We’re committed to supporting the game of golf, so we’re incredibly excited to see our connection to the game growing - whether that’s through the courses we supply, or those we partner with. We’re thrilled to announce this partnership, as we take our next step in the sport.”

The company says the relationship marks their latest commitment to the industry and future in the sport, as it builds on partnerships with names including Sir Nick Faldo - with the brand supporting the growth of the Faldo Futures initiative via donations and beyond from May 2025.

Sir Nick Faldo said, “As host of the British Masters for nearly 3 years now, it’s an event that’s close to my heart - so it’s brilliant to see Husqvarna partnering with this iconic tournament. What its technology is doing for golf courses is truly changing the game - I’ve heard firsthand how greenkeepers now have more time to spend on other areas of the course, such as the greens, which is driving a real improvement for players. Husqvarna’s support for Faldo Futures is increasingly important too - it’s an initiative that supports young golfing talent, so we’re incredibly proud of it. Having brands such as Husqvarna help foster its growth, is brilliant for the future of the game”

DEALERSHIP TO OFFER TRAINING FROM NEW DEPOT
LANTRA accredited

Dealer says the courses provide delegates with the skills and knowledge required to safely operate and maintain relevant machinery.

The GGM Group have announced that they will be offering LANTRA Training from their new Yorkshire Service Centre in Knottingley.

The LANTRA accredited training academy, will be an additional offering to their portfolio of services.

The courses, which the business has been running for the past two years, provide delegates with the skills and knowledge required to safely operate and maintain relevant machinery. All training can be carried out on customers premises or on-site at the new centre, using the equipment that team members will be operating on a day-to-day basis.

The LANTRA accredited training courses ensure that operators are trained to a national standard whilst fulfilling the organisations' legal obligations with regards to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998 (PUWER).

Upon successful completion of the courses, all delegates will receive a certificate of competence and for the LANTRA training an accredited certificate and skills card will be awarded (LANTRA registration fees apply).

GGM managing director Chris Gibson explained, “Since launching our Training Academy, we've received fantastic feedback from both trainees and their employers. The expansion of our academy to the Knottingley site will make training much more accessible for our Yorkshire based customers. Providing added value has always been a key part of our ethos, so we're thrilled to bring the LANTRA training offering to our new Yorkshire centre."

CEO TO STEP DOWN
By mutual agreement with board

He will step down from his role as CEO and board member as soon as a permanent successor is appointed, likely in late 2025.

Husqvarna Group has announced that Pavel Hajman has, by mutual agreement with the board of directors, decided to step down from his role as CEO and board member as soon as a permanent successor is appointed, likely in late 2025.

Pavel said, “As we approach the end of the Group’s current 2025 strategy period, the board and I feel it is time to recruit a longer-term successor who can lead the Group into the next strategy period, which will aim at 2030 and beyond. We are announcing this in advance of my departure date in order to give the Board ample time to identify and appoint such successor. Until then, I will continue to give my full dedication to the company. I would like to sincerely thank the board of directors, and my colleagues around the world, for having given me the privilege to lead this fantastic company for the last two and half years."

Tom Johnstone, chair of the board, said, “I would like to thank Pavel for his tremendous dedication and efforts in leading the Husqvarna Group during what has indisputably been some challenging years. He has led a number of bold initiatives, ranging from cost-efficiency measures to increased electrification, a greater focus on sustainability and a more digitalised organisation, all of which will form the groundwork for the company’s future."

Pavel Hajman joined Husqvarna Group in 2014, and has been CEO since May 2023.

TECHNICAL TEAM EXPANDS
To support company growth

New recruit will provide backup and technical service training.

Iseki UK & Ireland has announced the appointment of Callum Gaskell as field service engineer, as part of its continued growth and strategic focus on strengthening dealer support services.

In his new role, Callum will provide backup and technical service training to the company's dealer network.

On the appointment, Phil Catley, product and marketing manager at Iseki UK & Ireland, said, “Callum’s experience is a perfect fit for the direction we’re heading in as a business. He not only knows the Iseki product range extremely well from his time at Ransomes Jacobsen, but he also brings a fresh perspective from his recent work with agricultural technology and material handling equipment.

“His appointment enhances our ability to provide technical excellence and responsive support to our dealers and end users, and that’s something we take great pride in as part of the Iseki brand experience.”

Callum most recently worked at Thurlow Nunn, initially specialising in GPS and guidance systems before moving into after sales and service support for forklifts and telehandlers. This gave him broad experience in diagnostics, field support and customer service.

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