Recorded live at Futurescape, this episode of Dig Deep puts the spotlight on the next generation of landscaping professionals and the very different routes that can lead to a successful career in the industry.

Rosie is joined by Archie Matthews, winner of the 2025 BALI Student of the Year, and Ollie French, a young landscaper from Warwickshire. Archie shares how an apprenticeship, college training and competing in WorldSkills UK helped build his confidence, skills and ambition. Ollie offers a contrasting perspective, explaining how he “fell into” landscaping after school and learned his trade hands-on, on site.

Together, their stories highlight the breadth of opportunities within landscaping, the value of practical learning, and why this industry can be a powerful alternative for those who don’t thrive in traditional academic settings.

An honest, inspiring conversation about passion, perseverance and building a future beyond the classroom.

Recorded live at GroundsFest, this episode of Dig Deep tackles one of the biggest challenges facing the landscaping and horticulture sector. The widening skills gap.

Rosie is joined by Pauline Clark, Business Relationship Manager at Capel Manor College, London’s leading environmental college, to explore how education providers and employers can work together to attract, train and retain new talent.

From apprenticeships and work experience to outreach in schools, intensive bootcamps and employer forums, Pauline shares how Capel Manor is opening up career pathways for young people, career changers and those returning to work. She also offers practical advice for businesses considering taking on apprentices and explains what makes a successful match between learner and employer.

A must-listen for landscaping businesses struggling to recruit, educators shaping future skills, and anyone passionate about building a stronger, more resilient industry.

In this episode of Dig Deep, recorded live at GroundsFest, host Rosie Sayers talks with Jonathan Petit, Head of Skills, Careers, and Certification at GoLandscape – the BALI initiative dedicated to promoting careers in landscaping.

Together, they explore how GoLandscape is tackling the industry's biggest challenge: the skills gap.

Jonathan shares how GoLandscape is:

• Engaging with 22,000 young people annually at large-scale events like Big Bang to showcase the diversity of careers in landscaping
• Connecting employers with land-based colleges to ensure students are job-ready with the right skills
• Supporting career changers, ex-military personnel, refugees, and underrepresented communities to enter the sector
• Building a network of 60+ ambassadors who visit schools and colleges to share their industry experiences
• Offering free student membership to help young people access support and employment opportunities

You'll also hear why the industry needs to dispel misconceptions about what landscaping really involves – from engineering and HR roles to accountancy – and why Britain is considered the "landscaping king of the world."

Key takeaways

• The landscaping sector faces significant skills shortages, made worse by Brexit and misconceptions about the industry.
• Employers must engage with colleges to shape training programmes and secure the talent pipeline.
• Going to large events where thousands of young people gather is more effective than visiting schools one by one.
• The industry needs to improve diversity and show that "you can't be what you can't see."
• Anyone can become a GoLandscape ambassador – doing as much or as little as they feel comfortable with.

Episode sponsors This episode is supported by:

• GoLandscape – Inspiring the next generation to build a career in landscaping.
• Stihl – Trusted tools that work as hard as you do.

Links mentioned

• golandscape.co.uk