Lantra successfully encouraged Mancunians to show their romantic side and think about careers in its romantically-related professions when it brought its ‘Skills for Our Nation’ campaign to Piccadilly Gardens on 11 July.
The Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries arrived in the city to provide people with an insight into the valuable contribution that industries in the sector make to their everyday lives – including their romantic moments – and highlight that some of the things they take for granted are at risk as related businesses brace themselves for the loss 215,000 workers over the next 10 years unless more people enter its industries.
From presenting a loved one with flowers (floristry and production horticulture) to taking a stroll in the park (arborists and gardeners) romance is inextricably linked with environmental and land-based industries – prompting Lantra to warn Mancunians that their romantic sides would wilt.
However, following a day of handing out flowers to passers by and a bouquet-making floral challenge – climaxing with a bride tossing bouquets to the waiting crowd, Lantra was heartened to learn that, not only is romance currently alive and well in the city but that it had successfully nurtured people’s interest in environmental and land-based careers.
A straw-poll survey of visitors to the event Manchester’s revealed that 48% of people often received flowers from their partners, whilst 36% said they would prefer a weekend away – ideally in the countryside.
More importantly 80% of respondents could name a career in the environmental and land-based sector - with floristry (24%) and farming (21%) proving the most popular answers - and 67% saying they would definitely consider a career in one of the varied professions offered by the 17 industries for which Lantra advocates training. Career information is available from afuturein.com.
Among the visitors to the event that took part in the floral challenge was local resident Peter Sinclair who said: "These industries are really creative and having now tried it, I would certainly consider taking up a career like floristry or garden design."
Commenting on the event Lantra’s National Director for England, Madge Moore said: "The ‘Skills for our Nation’ event in Manchester is part of a nationwide campaign we are running that seeks to excite people’s interest in the environmental and land-based sector by giving them a snapshot of the positive employment and career opportunities that exist and highlighting some of the ways in which the sector touches their lives.
"Contrary to popular belief, the sector offers diverse career paths and financially rewarding opportunities - with more than 300 managerial and skilled job roles to choose from and levels of pay which on average are £100 higher each week than that earned in the retail, hotel or restaurant industry. There is such a range of positions available that skills used in previous jobs or qualifications can be transferred to these new roles."
To emphasise the skills behind romantic gestures, award-winning florist Natalie Stanyer created several stunning bridal bouquets and floral jewellery for a staged wedding.
Peter Martin, Chief of Executive of Lantra added, "Recent headlines have highlighted how central the work of our sector is to the 21st century world economy. No other Sector Skills Council can claim that the three issues which will dominate the G8 meeting of world leaders in Japan this week – climate change, food security, fuel security – are so central to the interests of their businesses. I can think of no better economic, or for that matter, environmental or social argument for the continued importance of our sector and the support that we provide as their Sector Skills Council.”
Lantra supports the floristry section of the WorldSkills UK competition, the final of which is hosted by Tatton Park RHS flower show. Its winner has the opportunity to compete in Canada 2009.
