NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Missy Henriksen
Vice President, Public Affairs, NALP
Phone: 703-456-4212
E-mail:
[email protected]
National Association of Landscape Professionals Launches Apprenticeship Program for Landscape Management Through the U.S. Department of Labor
Professional Landscape Companies are Encouraged to Participate; Program is Expected to be a Game-Changer for Workforce Development
FAIRFAX, Va. (February 11, 2019) – The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) announced today the creation of the Landscape Management Apprenticeship Program. The program, which is registered by the U.S. Department of Labor, offers job seekers a path to a new career in the industry through a paid apprenticeship with a professional landscape company. With the formalization of the official apprenticeship program, the landscape profession is now considered a skilled trade, opening new doors for recruitment through school counselors, veterans groups and community workforce boards.
“Apprenticeships are a known solution for attracting and developing highly-skilled employees in industries ranging from construction and plumbing to automotive, mechanical and more,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NALP. “The establishment of this program helps our industry to level the playing field when it comes to finding workers and building a pipeline of future employees. As an association, we are putting great emphasis into promoting this program through advertising and outreach to schools, guidance counselors and veterans to help landscape contractors find quality apprenticeship candidates.”
“Apprenticeship programs are the golden ticket to recruiting and retaining top-tier talent,” says Henriksen. “Offering an apprenticeship program gives companies a competitive edge and allows the landscape profession to be more competitive with other industries struggling for entry-level talent.”
There is significant federal and state funding available for companies interested in starting an apprenticeship program, including grants for training and equipment. To be eligible to enroll in the apprenticeship program, companies must be in business for at least one year and will be responsible for:
- Hiring new workers or selecting current employees to be apprentices
- Ensuring that the apprentices are trained in the core competencies
- Identifing an experienced mentor to work with each apprentice
- Paying apprenctices progressively higher wages as skills increase
- Providing necessary participant information to NALP
- Enrolling participants and invest in the necessary required online training
A full list of requirements and other information can be found in the NALP’s Landscape Management Apprenticeship Handbook. Interested companies can visit NALP’s website to register for the Landscape Management Apprenticeship Program.
About NALP
The National Association of Landscape Professionals represents an industry of approximately 1 million landscape, lawn care, irrigation, and tree care professionals. Through national advocacy campaigns, the association is growing the industry and its workforce. NALP offers its members professional development through education, networking, and training, and increases the professionalism of the industry through certification and accreditation programs. For more information about NALP, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org. Also, visit Loveyourlandscape.org for landscape information or visit LandscapeIndustryCareers.org to explore career opportunities.