Employment and Training

[Merilyn Harris]

Just read the latest Nursery paper regarding attracting and training new people for the nursery industry. What I see as more important is trying to retain some of the experienced people who seem to be leaving in droves - taking with them their skills, knowledge and experience. Not much inspiration for young people coming into the industry being confronted with a disgruntled over-worked/underpaid horticulturist!
I'm sure you've all had experience with trying to find suitably qualified staff. Great for those of us sticking it out = guaranteed employment!

[Michael Gleeson CNP]

Gidday Merilyn
Agree with your sentiments. The biggest issue here as I see it is the poor remuneration. Until our buying public realise how much knowledge we need to produce our wonderful product they will not pay the real cost. Therefore our income will always remain pathetic and who wants a job that doesn't pay enough. Maybe the supply and demand thing will happen and we who are left can start to demand better income.
We just need to keep making our worth known.

Cheers