Do you believe landscaping is becoming a more desirable career path?
Yes 46.8%
OTHER 12.5%
Another strategy to address labour gaps would be to make a career in the green trades more attractive. Respondents had a lot to say about this. Some feel there has been a renewed interest in working outdoors in nature, while others expressed strong opinions around work ethic, public perception and shady business practices.
Parents do not encourage their children to attend these programs because they are not high wage earning professions. The job is physically demanding and many people do not want to do this type of work. Many existing employees in the industry are aging out and not being replaced. There is a perception that landscaping is not year round and landscape work is labour intensive. Landscaping is highly competitive, and in our area there are a number of contractors that are undervaluing employees and significantly underbidding work.
Young people are more attracted to tech/online industries, probably.
Flooded by low wage companies that work under the table … this leaves a sour taste in the general public and craftsmen stay away from very lucrative positions. Technology is helping the industry, and not in danger of AI replacing jobs. Younger people are looking for a trade and this offers something different every day.
More people see the value in working outdoors/in trades.
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36 | LANDSCAPE TRADES
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