Marshalls partnership paves the way for landscape students

Myerscough has joined forces with Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer, in an initiative to answer the increasing demand for trained professionals within the sector and to promote the industry as an excellent career choice for aspiring students, while addressing a skills gap.

The deal will see the company provide materials and deliver workshops to Myerscough students, while learners will be able to interact with members of the Marshalls Register, an industry directory of accredited contractors, to gain valuable insights and work experience within the industry. This enhances the learning experience of the students and gives them an advantage when beginning their career.

Nick Atkinson, Assistant Head Apprenticeships and Skills at Myerscough College and said: ‘’This is a wonderful opportunity for our learners to gain invaluable insights from industry professionals.

‘’We look forward to working with Marshalls and are excited about the opportunities we will have to enhance the future prospects of our students.

‘’The partnership promotes the benefits of a landscaping career and will also encourage more people to consider a career in the many aspects of horticulture and landscaping. There are some well-paid roles available in the sector, but there’s currently a skills gap that this should help to address.’’

Dave Jessop is Operations Manager of the Marshalls Register and said: “Promoting landscaping as an attractive career choice by working in partnership with colleges felt like a natural progression. There is a lack of skilled professionals entering the landscaping sector, while demand for their services is higher than ever before.

“We want to encourage students to pursue a career in this wonderful industry, and to instil best practice from the outset. We look forward to working together to provide landscaping students with the best possible start to their careers.”

The photograph shows Keith Wrigley, Regional Assessor at Marshalls, Dave Jessop, Operations Manager, along with Nick Atkinson, and Becky Atherton, Lecturer in Landscape, at the signing of the agreement.