Apprenticeships offer a unique blend of hands-on experience and classroom learning, providing individuals with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes for a business to thrive. This combination makes apprenticeships an invaluable tool for attracting new talent across various industries.
Many businesses view apprentices as a crucial component of their recruitment strategy. They not only attract enthusiastic workers but also offer development opportunities for existing team members.
The Environmental Horticulture Group recently highlighted the sector’s significant impact, supporting 722,000 jobs and contributing £38 billion to the UK economy in 2023. Despite this, the average percentage of the environmental horticulture workforce employed as apprentices in 2023/24 was only 3% for landscapers and 1% for retailers and growers. Given that the sector is predominantly made up of SMEs, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is committed to removing barriers to apprenticeship uptake and addressing the current shortfall.
The HTA welcomes the government’s commitment to reforming the apprenticeship levy and introducing a flexible Growth and Skills Levy. However, it urges policymakers to consider the specific needs of the environmental horticulture and broader land-based sectors when developing these policies. It is essential that a wider range of businesses can access these funds and that they effectively support the industry’s growth and development.
