Organisers of annual trade event GroundsFest has launched an education fund that will invest profits from its event back into the industry.
The GroundsFest Education Fund has been designed to help students at land-based colleges overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education. The aim of the Fund is to not only support and enhance a student’s education experience, but to encourage more people into the industry by making education more accessible.
Through profits generated from GroundsFest, students will be able to reach their full potential by obtaining funding for a wide range of items such as course literature, stationary, tools, laptops, computers and other electrical goods, driving lessons and accredited training courses on subjects including machinery, weed management, sports turf maintenance, lawn care, arboriculture and many more.
“Unfortunately, the number of young people embarking on a career in grounds management is in decline and collectively, we should be doing all we can to change this. Education is the first step into the industry but the numbers coming through and qualifying are worryingly low,” says GroundsFest Director Christopher Bassett.
“After several conversations, we were shocked to hear that students are being forced out of education or are being prevented from entering education due to not having the money to purchase necessary items. Our aim was to always give back to the industry through the event and therefore we are extremely proud to be launching The GroundsFest Education Fund.”
For the first year the scheme will be trialled at Wiltshire College and University Centre before being rolled out nationwide. Victoria Fiander, Assessor in Horticulture and Bradley Tennant, Sports Turf Lecturer, both from Wiltshire College, were instrumental in the development of the Fund.
Commenting on the new scheme, Bradley says: “This is a fantastic initiative for students to access opportunities they may otherwise not have. I would have loved to have had an opportunity like this having personally paid for my own certificates such as spraying, tractor driving and chainsaw tickets. This is a key area that holds many back from pay rises or even progression within their workplace.”
“Land-based colleges are the point of entry for the vast majority of those wanting to work in horticulture, from sports turf stadiums to the local garden centre. It’s vital we support our colleges. There are currently only 12 land-based colleges within the UK, which is a worrying number. The industry is struggling from top to bottom and education is the way forward.”