GROWS HELPS TO EASE LABOR SHORTAGE
Find out how you can benefit from these new industry-leading initiatives.
Many would agree that the most pressing issue facing today’s green industry is a lack of qualified labor entering the workforce. New England GROWS, NENA and three additional founding partner organizations are working together to find innovative ways to promote horticulture as a viable and lucrative career path.
Future Leaders Program:
More than 500 high school students from across New England participated in New England GROWS’ Future Leaders program last year. The program provides high school students with an exclusive opportunity to gain cutting-edge horticultural knowledge, engage with industry leaders, explore the latest equipment and services, and become familiar with many career options.
The students’ day begins with an orientation session featuring the GROWS-produced video, “Finding Your Place in the Green Industry.” The session also includes guidance from a panel of industry representatives who, along with many other GROWS participants, served as Future Leader Ambassadors. With Ambassadors’ tips in hand, students fan out across the exposition and conference to learn about the green industry in New England. They attend conference sessions, visit with exhibitors, check out the Career Center, and speak with industry members to learn more about their potential career path.
After the conference, students participate in an essay contest focusing on what they learned at GROWS. The author of the winning essay is named Future Leader of the Year and receives a cash prize in recognition of their accomplishment.
Online Career Center:
The job boards in the Career Center at GROWS are one of the most popular destinations on the show floor. Now you can take advantage of GROWS’ powerful network of professionals with the launch of a new online Career Center. Available year-round at NewEnglandGROWS.org, this carefully crafted platform is specifically designed to help job seekers find and easily apply for careers in the green industry. Log on today and see how the GROWS Career Center can help you reach qualified prospective employees.
Finding Your Place in the Green Industry:
This GROWS-produced video highlights green industry professionals, from students to experienced veterans, commenting on what they enjoy about their careers in commercial horticulture. The video has already been viewed thousands of times on YouTube to rave reviews. Use it as your own recruitment tool for students and other prospective employees.
Visit NewEnglandGROWS.org, or contact Anne Franks at [email protected], for details on how you can participate in the workforce development initiatives mentioned above.