Update: The deadline has now been extended to 1 December.

Lantra and the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), have announced a partnership on a research project which will explore to the barriers to apprenticeships at landscaping businesses across the UK.

The research project, titled; Bringing New Entrants into Landscaping, will also propose solutions to bring new entrants into the industry and was launched yesterday at FutureScape.

“We know that some people face challenges and barriers when trying to get into landscaping,” says Marcus Potter, CEO of Lantra.

“We are also aware of the challenges employers in the industry are facing when hiring new entrants into the landscaping industry. Lantra is committed to supporting both employers, and new entrants, come into the landscaping industry.

“We are pleased to be working with BALI on such an important piece of research so that we can understand those challenges and work together, collaboratively, to encourage and support the new entrants the industry requires over the coming months and years.”

On the same day, Marcus Potter, CEO of Lantra; Wayne Grills, chief executive of BALI; and Charles Blumlein, founder and managing director of Location Landscapes took part in a panel discussion highlighting the need for the research and to discuss the importance of getting new entrants into the industry.

Alongside the survey, work will be undertaken to look at the data of apprenticeship uptake and completion over the last five years.

Wayne Grills, chief executive of BALI, says: “We know from our members that we are seeing skills shortages within our industry. It is really important for our industry that we get a good understanding of why new entrants take the apprenticeship route, and what barriers they face.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Lantra on this work to ascertain first-hand some of the difficulties faced from those already in the industry. This exciting project will also link into BALI’s GoLandscape Careers initiative of encouraging new entrants into the industry.

“I actively encourage those in the industry, including garden design, landscape build (contractors), maintenance and supply, to play your part and complete the survey today, so that we can collectively grow the skills needed for tomorrow.”

The research project survey, which can be taken here, will remain open until the end of 1 December and for any questions about the research you can contact research@lantra.co.uk.

Elsewhere, tickets are still on sale for the LBEL awards, which Lantra is running in collaboration with Landex next month.