Where Could a Career in Landscaping Take You?
Isn’t landscaping that job you do in the summers while you’re in college until you move on to a real career?
Think of landscaping as a ‘trade’ instead of a ‘job’ and you’ll immediately shift your perception of the profession. Just like any trade, you need a few basic skills for a career in landscaping, many of which you can learn on the job. So, while you may not need advanced educational qualifications to work in the landscaping industry, what you do need is a willingness to learn. So, whether you have just graduated high school or a working adult looking for a change of scene, a future in landscaping might be the one for you.
As with any profession, working in the landscaping industry comes with its pros and cons.
Pros:
- Lots of fresh air and exercise
- Opportunities for advancement in leadership, client relations, sales etc.
- Great work-life balance
- Regular work hours
- A variety of work including a combination of carpentry,
stonework, horticulture, plumbing and dirt work. - Apprenticeship programs (only go to school for 2 months per year)
- Skills you’ve learned in other jobs can be highly transferable
Cons:
- Work may be seasonal with some companies
- Physically demanding (until you move into a design, administrative or management role)
- You usually start at the beginning in a labouring role
Are there opportunities for career growth in landscaping?
Many professional landscaping companies are constantly “building their bench” from within. They will have a well-defined career path to follow and will be able to give you examples of employees who have worked their way up from entry-level labouring positions into supervisory, designing, estimating, sales, management, HR, and other key roles. You could have a life-long career with most of your training being done while you get paid.
Additionally, while some companies tend to have seasonal workers, many landscaping firms (like Kayben Landscaping) hire full-time staff, all year round. Professional landscaping companies will also be happy to share how you can progress at work.
What careers can I have in the landscaping industry
Most people start at the very bottom and work their way up. The beauty of this experience is that every leader has been through what their subordinates have creating an atmosphere that fosters understanding, learning, and growth. A few examples of positions you can hold include:
Landscape Construction Technician:
Landscaping is more than just planting flower beds and laying sod. It also involves the construction of fences, patios, gazebos, and more. A landscape construction technician also works on building hardscape structures according to the landscape designer’s plans.
Landscape Maintenance Crew Member:
As a landscape maintenance crew member, you are typically tasked with various groundskeeping duties like mowing, starting trimming, garden bed maintenance, pruning hedges or trimming overgrown trees to make sure a property looks its ship-shape best.
Landscape Maintenance Foreperson:
They are responsible for managing job costs and crew hours to make sure a project is completed on time and within budget. This supervisory role requires excellent leadership and communication skills.
Landscape Designer:
A landscape designer is responsible for the design and layout of an outdoor space so that it looks attractive and is functional too. Many landscape designers have years of experience in the industry and may have formal qualifications in the field as well and many are also responsible for completing project estimates.
As you can see, there are numerous possibilities for career advancement within the landscaping industry. A Kayben Landscaping, we invest in our people to secure their future in the industry. We provide formal training at every level, so that our employees can grow with the firm.
If you’re interested to learn more about Kayben Landscaping and what it’s like to work here, get in touch with one of our employees for a cup of coffee to have your questions answered or apply for one of our open positions here