Horticulture's New talent pool Working with plants has an allure for those tired of the rat race. But what do second careerists bring to the industry? Gavin NcEwan reports

摘要

Horticulture may have an image problem among young people but it does not, apparently, have one among those who have had their nose to the grindstone. The number of new entrants to all branches of the Industry-escaping the stress, boredom or sheer unsuitabillty of other careers — Is Increasing. Horticulture writer Spence Gunn says: "It's useful for the Industry. These are often people with expensively acquired skills, such as running a business, which lifelong horticulturists don't necessarily have."Things that are Important to many school-leavers, like excitement and a high salary, matter less to them. And they often have a long-term Interest In and knowledge of plants." Cleeve Nursery & Garden Centre In Bristol Is one company to have benefited from this development. All except one of its 10 current employees have had other careers. Owner Alan Down explains: "We have tended to select mature applicants. We haven't sought to exclude younger career horticulturists, but there Is now a shortage of trained and experienced people." Although his staff usually have some plant knowledge before joining, Down says their personality and attitude are more important. "They have to be able to project a friendly image to our customers, who will probably relatebetter to someone of a similar age and, in fact, may be more likely to accept advice from them than from a younger person. And if the applicants already have retail skills, so much the better."