TASK (Training Academy for Skills & Knowledge) launched this Autumn 2022 to tackle the ever-widening skills gap that is affecting the UK’s landscaping industries.
An independent landscaping and land-based training academy, TASK offers landscaping training coursed to both industry professionals and members of the public.
Founded and created by multi award-winning industry professional Rupert Keys (Keyscape Design & Construction Ltd), alongside a specially curated cohort of industry professionals, the TASK Academy offers a broad range of Lantra accredited landscaping courses. These are delivered through practical, hands-on learning days, in small groups, spanning one to four days.
The landscaping industry has grown 18% in less than 10 years and contributes £1billion to the UK economy. This speed of growth has led to a crippling skills gap within the landscaping and land-based industries. A lack of training facilities has meant that employers have been experiencing significant difficulty when attempting to either upskill their current workforce or recruit trained personnel.
Founder and Managing Director Rupert said: “At TASK we recognise the importance and need for quality training and our future focus is to work with students and employers to address the industry skills gap by providing a wide range of practical landscaping courses taught by industry experts.
“We are committed to improving the skills of current and future generations and we hope by providing high quality professional hands-on training courses, students will develop or build on their skills and knowledge to help them further their careers.
“Our public courses include a range of one day courses which are perfectly suited to garden enthusiasts and those wanting to acquire new skills and save money in their DIY garden projects.”
Frances Tophill, friend of TASK and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter officially opened the Academy on Saturday 10th September by unveiling a plaque commemorating the launch.
Frances said: “I feel incredibly privileged and grateful to have learnt so much from Rupert and his team. I have experienced, first hand, his patience, kindness and encyclopaedic knowledge that led to our Platinum Award and Best In Show garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live this year. I know that the TASK Academy will be a real asset to our industry and I wholeheartedly support its growth and longevity.”
Courses take place at the Academy’s rural Worcestershire headquarters in the village of Birlingham near Pershore. The site has been taking shape over the last few years and is fully equipped with a fully adapted indoor training barn with a purpose built classroom for theory learning as well as outdoor teaching spaces.