Ag Horticulture & Landscape Sectors Tackle Labour and Skills Shortages
SURREY, British Columbia (November 30, 2017) - The BC Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) is partnering with the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training to develop deeper insights into alleviating the labour shortages of workers in the landscape, agriculture horticulture and turf sectors.
This project, funded under the Sector Labour Market Partnerships Program, will identify the current trends in the labour market and design strategies for attracting and retaining workers over the long term. The BCLNA is working with Roslyn Kunin & Associates to conduct the research. Roslyn Kunin’s group has previously researched the BC Viticulture Industry and is familiar with the horticulture industry.
This project builds on the findings from a previous Labour Market Partnerships project which garnered support from 19 horticulture member associations, the BC Agriculture Council, the Western Canada Turfgrass Association and other allied industry stakeholders.
“Labour market shortages are a current issue for the agriculture horticulture and landscape sectors,” says BCLNA’s Board Chair, Len Smit. “BCLNA is well positioned to complete the Labour Market Information Research Project in cooperation with this large stakeholder group. This project will help the industry learn more about the issues and design strategies to take necessary steps to implement long term solutions.”
“Labour supply is top of mind for producers in the floriculture sector and adequate staffing for our seasonal highs and lows is an increasing challenge year after year.,” says Ken Denbok Rainbow Greenhouses Inc. “We see the Labour Market Information Research Project as a significant opportunity to identify the reasons for our industry labour challenges and to ascertain potential long term solutions.”
BC Agriculture Council states “Having a stable, productive and engaged workforce is critical for farmers. With a decreasing labour supply in B.C., farmers need to look for new and innovative ways to find tomorrows employees. We thank BCLNA for taking on a leadership role with this project and the provincial government for providing the needed funding.”
The following member associations have partnered with BCLNA for this project:
BC Blueberry Council
BC Cherry Association
BC Cranberry Growers Association
BC Grape Growers Association
BC Greenhouse Growers Association
BC Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
BC Raspberry Industry Development Council
BC Strawberry Growers Association
BC Tree Fruit Growers Association
Fraser Valley Cole Crop Growers Association
Pea & Bush Bean Growers Association
United Flower Growers Cooperative
Western Canada Turfgrass Association
PNW Chapter – International Society of Arboriculture
BC Golf Superintendents Association
BC Landscape and Nursery Association
BC Recreation & Parks Association
BC Agriculture Council
Canadian Landscape and Nursery Association
The BC Landscape and Nursery Association looks forward to sharing the results from this project with industry. The project is scheduled to be completed in July 2018.
Contact:
Ann M. Walsh
Solstice Consulting
BCLNA Labour Market Partnership Project Manager
P: 604-575-3516; E: awalsh@bclna.com
Hedy Dyck
Chief Operating Officer
BC Landscape and Nursery Association
#102-19289 Langley Bypass Surrey BC V3S 6K1
P: 604-575-3505 E: hdyck@bclna.com
For further details about the program parameters go to:
https://www.workbc.ca/Employer-Resources/Funding-and-Programs/Sector-Labour-Market-Partnerships.aspx