Skills report finds just 1% of British horticulturists are of 'other ethnic backgrounds'

A survey carried out by the Ornamentals Roundtable into skills shortages in the industry has found, in terms of ethnicity, the sector is dominated by workers of British origin (approximately 95%) and other white backgrounds (approximately 3.5%).

by Matthew Appleby 3 November 2019

The report, commissioned on behalf of industry bodies RHS, BALI, HTA, CIH, AHDB, Arb Association and Landex found workers of “any other ethnic group” represented approximately 1% of the overall workforce.

Combined, workers of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and “any other Asian background” comprise less than 0.2% of the surveyed workforce. Mixed white and Black African, Black Caribbean or Asian workers constitute 0.02%.

The report stated: "Other ethnicities are in even lower proportions. Thus, on the basis of 901 responses, the horticulture workforce of the sector is predominantly of British origin and other white backgrounds."

Residence of workforce is 99% UK for arb, 92% parks, 91% retail, 91% landscape and 77% ornamentals.

Looking at gender balance, men make up 60% of horticulture workers, with 80% in arb, 76% in landscaping, 53% in ornamental production, 56% in parks and gardens and 46% in garden retail.

The report stated: "When addressing skills shortages and recruitment, this may have to be taken into account."