Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) 2017

The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) recognizes this Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) as the Red Seal standard for the Landscape Horticulturist trade.

General Information

• Foreword
• Structure

Description of the Landscape Horticulturist Trade

“Landscape Horticulturist” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the CCDA. This standard covers tasks performed by landscape horticulturists whose occupational title has been identified by some provinces and territories of Canada under the following names:

Landscape horticulturists survey and assess landscapes, draw sketches and interpret plans. They construct and maintain gardens, parks, golf courses and other landscape environments. In addition, landscape horticulturists construct and maintain hard landscape elements, such as patios, walkways and walls. They also prepare estimates, provide products and services, and advise clients on issues related to horticulture and landscape projects. Landscape horticulturists also propagate, cultivate and study plants, and treat injured and diseased plants. They are employed by landscape designers, architects and contractors, lawn service and tree care establishments, recreation facilities, golf courses, parks, nurseries, greenhouses, and municipal, provincial and federal governments. They may also be self-employed.

Landscape horticulturists work with machinery and equipment ranging from simple hand tools to heavy equipment. They may be responsible for routine maintenance of tools and equipment. Landscape horticulturists may also work with a variety of products such as soils, pesticides, fertilizers and fuels and must be aware of their safe use, environmental best practices and government regulations.

Some landscape horticulturists specialize in areas such as landscape design, construction and maintenance, and greenhouse, sod and nursery production. They may work independently or with other professionals such as landscape architects, architects, engineers, and municipal planners.

Landscape horticulturists require good communication skills to coordinate and facilitate work with clients, co-workers and other trades. They also require strong analytical, decision making and organizational abilities.

The majority of the work such as landscape construction and maintenance, and snow and ice control is performed outdoors in all types of weather. Indoor work may involve greenhouse production, interior landscaping, and the sale of plants, landscape materials and supplies. The work may be strenuous and may involve activities such as lifting, climbing, carrying and bending. Employment in this trade may be seasonal with long hours.

With experience and proven competence, landscape horticulturists may advance to supervisory positions, training positions or become business owners.

This standard recognizes similarities or overlaps with the work of other tradespeople such as arborists, bricklayers/stone masons, heavy equipment operators, electricians, roofers, plumbers, small engine mechanics and carpenters.

Essential Skills Summary

Essential skills are needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change.

Through extensive research, the Government of Canada and other national and international agencies have identified and validated nine essential skills. These skills are used in nearly every occupation and throughout daily life in different ways.

A series of CCDA-endorsed tools have been developed to support apprentices in their training and to be better prepared for a career in the trades. The tools can be used independently or with the assistance of a tradesperson, trainer, employer, teacher or mentor to:

• understand how essential skills are used in the trades;
• learn about individual essential skills strengths and areas for improvement; and
• improve essential skills and increase success in an apprenticeship program.

Tools are available online or for order at: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/essential-skills/tools.html.

The application of these skills may be described throughout this document within the competency statements which support each subtask of the trade. The following are summaries of the requirements in each of the essential skills, taken from the essential skills profile. A link to the complete essential skills profile can be found at: www.red-seal.ca.

Trends in the Landscape Horticulturist Trade

The landscape horticulture industry must continuously adapt to changing trends in education, certification, legislation and the labour market as they relate to safety, environmental stewardship and conservation.

This trade will continue to evolve through the introduction of new products, new technology and horticultural principles to meet the needs of the environment and its clients.

The landscape horticulture industry continues to apply technological advancements to improve its business and workforce skills. Digital devices, satellite technology and production innovation enable improved production, efficiency and quality.

The demand for specialized skilled workers in the trade is growing. Increasingly, consumers and employers are requesting certified landscape horticulturists who are aware of best practices to provide quality products and services. More employers are encouraging the professional development of their employees. The industry is trending from seasonal work to full-time employment opportunities and attracting a more diverse workforce.

As jurisdictional safety and prevention legislation changes, compliance requirements by industry are increasing. Safety awareness and implementation of safe work practices in the industry is evolving to better protect the workforce and the general public. Tools and equipment that produce fewer emissions and reduce noise and vibration are in greater demand.

The work is becoming more intricate because of the complexity of the designs and expanding customer requests for items such as outdoor rooms, organic horticulture and sustainable design. There is an increased focus on water optimization, conservation and protection. The use of native and natural materials and green infrastructure is becoming more prevalent.

Through continuous improvement to technologies, techniques and plant varieties that reduce environmental impact and production costs, the industry is working towards the optimization, conservation, capture and recycling of water. The industry plays a significant role through its products and services in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Issues around stormwater management are significant and benefit from the use of bioswales, retention ponds and other water management systems.

A higher degree of attention is paid to plant health starting at the design phase and through construction and maintenance due to jurisdictional environmental regulations. Growers are growing more pest- and disease-resistant varieties of plants. There are changes to pest and disease control measures including legislation that has reduced dependence on chemical use.

The trade promotes and practices environmental consciousness and sustainable development. With an increased global awareness of environmental change, the public is seeking the leadership of the trade to conserve, protect, and enhance ecosystems and living spaces. The result of this environmental awareness is increased collaboration across the industry and stakeholder groups in Canada, to promote the application of environmental best practices.

Industry Expected Performance

All tasks must be performed according to the applicable jurisdictional regulations and standards. All health and safety standards must be respected and observed. Work should be done efficiently and at a high quality, minimizing material waste or environmental damage. At a journeyperson level of performance, all tasks must be done with minimal direction and supervision. Landscape horticulturists should be able to meet the physical demands of the trade. As a journeyperson progresses in their career there is an expectation they will mentor apprentices, continue to upgrade their skills and knowledge and promote continuous learning in their trade.

Language Requirements

It is expected that journeypersons are able to understand and communicate in either English or French, which are Canada’s official languages. English or French are the common languages of business as well as languages of instruction in apprenticeship programs.

Acknowledgements

The CCDA and ESDC wish to express sincere appreciation for the contribution of the many tradespersons, industrial establishments, professional associations, labour organizations, provincial and territorial government departments and agencies, and all others who contributed to this publication.

Special thanks are offered to the following representatives who contributed greatly to the original draft of the standard and provided expert advice throughout its development:

• Karen Carrier - New Brunswick
• Jaime Chavez - Manitoba
• Betty Cunnin - British Columbia
• Guy Dowhy - Manitoba
• Jeff Foley - British Columbia
• Mike Gallant - Prince Edward Island
• Lorna Hogan - Newfoundland and Labrador
• Kathryn Hutchison - Alberta
• Sean James - Ontario
• Bruce Kay - Alberta
• Adam Lix - Saskatchewan
• Darren Loner - Nova Scotia
• Jeff Morton - Nova Scotia
• Will O'Reilly - New Brunswick
• Carine Pattin - Northwest Territories
• Jim Philip - Ontario
• Richard Rogers - Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association
• Heike Stippler - British Columbia
• Aaron Szuck - Manitoba
• Terry Warke - Alberta

This standard was prepared by the Apprenticeship and Regulated Occupations Directorate of ESDC. The coordinating, facilitating and processing of this analysis were undertaken by employees of the standards development team of the Trades and Apprenticeship Division and of Ontario, the host jurisdiction for this trade.