A good foundation: The Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies

By Gavin McEwan Friday, 01 May 2009

The launch of a diploma for environmental and land-based studies will give school students experience of horticulture.

Field work: the diploma will begin this September and will allow hands-on learning. Image: HW

The Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies will be launched in September 2009. It is seen by commentators as the best chance in many years for horticulture to push the industry and show the next generation what careers are on offer.

Commercial pea grower Bob Fiddaman says: "The diploma is a way of offering the industry to people at an early age and showing them that there is a good career available to them.

"It's the first time that our sector has had the chance to do that since rural studies was removed from secondary modern education 25 years ago."

Landscaping will need 5,100 new employees a year over the next decade, according to the sector skills council, Lantra. The ornamentals and edibles production sectors are expected to lose 3,500 workers a year during the same period, compared with just 900 18-year-olds from further education who are entering production horticulture every year.

Lantra chairman Gordon McGlone explains: "We need the help of UK businesses if we are to attract the 21,500 new employees we need every year to stem the tide of skills being lost and businesses going into decline as talented people leave our industries."

Lantra has helped introduce the diploma - part of a range of new qualifications in England, aimed at young people from 14 to 19 years of age - in what has been called the biggest educational development since GCSEs. These qualifications will provide young people with practical skills, knowledge and understanding related to one of 14 different sectors, combined with essential skills in English, maths, and information and communications technologies (ICT).

Some 51 partnerships of schools, colleges and employers will start teaching an estimated 3,300 learners in September 2009. By 2013 every young person in England will have the chance to take the Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies course.

Fiddaman points out that this is not a "ready-for-work" diploma such as those already offered in further education. "But it does inform young students of the work available to them in the various areas of the land-based industries, from environmental aspects to growing to landscaping," he says.

There are three different levels of diploma - foundation, higher and advanced. The latter is equivalent to A-level standard and provides enough UCAS points for students to study for a horticultural degree. Work-related learning and work experience will be key, to assure employers that graduates can apply their skills in the workplace and have the right attitude to progress.

The diploma aims to promote learning and skills that are informed by, and recognisable to, environmental and land-based industries.

Horticultural consultant and former director of Coblands Nurseries Ken Turner says: "We've got to welcome young people into our business holdings, so they can see first-hand how we operate, what technology we've got and why we need people with certain skills.

"If we don't find these people and don't inspire them, then we're not going to have an industry in the future and that would be an absolute tragedy."

The Royal Horticultural Society has also given its support. Head of education Ruth Taylor says: "I know from some of the work we are involved in that young people are unaware of the opportunities in horticulture, so I think this diploma is really going to open up a pathway that has been closed until now."

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which represents the industry, also backs the diploma. Director of business development Tim Briercliffe says: "We need to ensure that the businesses teaming up with education providers are horticultural businesses such as nurseries and garden centres.

"I think this industry is ready to give that support. Historically, people working in horticulture have helped to nurture young people within the sector because it's in their interests to do so."

Extending the appeal

The HTA has other plans to attract older people to the industry too, through its Developing People strategy.

Briercliffe says: "We want to demonstrate how careers relate to other industries and promote that to those who haven't previously thought of horticulture as the sector for them."

For example, people with retail backgrounds would be able to use their skills in the garden centre, people with science and technology backgrounds can use their skills in the nursery, and those working in construction could transfer their skills to landscaping.

"We also want to take this message to current students, highlighting how someone studying science or business management can have a fulfilling career in the garden industry," he adds.

HOW THE DIPLOMA WILL WORK

Available at foundation, higher and advanced levels, the Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies will be available in some schools and colleges from September 2009, and throughout England by 2013.

All three levels are made up of three components:

Principal learning: The main compulsory component, which develops hands-on knowledge, understanding and skills in the context of the environmental and land-based sector.

Additional or specialist learning: An opportunity to study further environmental and land-based topics in more depth, or to broaden the range of study.

Generic learning: Compulsory learning, including functional skills in English, maths and ICT, plus the development of personal, learning and thinking skills, and the chance for learners to develop through work-related learning and work experience.