Ask landscape contractors what their top three challenges are, and darn near every single one will bring up the issue of finding good employees. And in this day and age, with more landscaping-related programs being cut from schools across the country—and oftentimes fewer students even interested in these types of programs to begin with—the challenge of finding good employees is becoming more daunting year after year.
In a lot of respects, the monumental task of getting younger folks interested in landscaping careers falls on the shoulders of landscape company owners themselves. Outreach to local high schools and community colleges, internship programs, etc., can all be helpful in drawing new talent to the industry. It won’t completely solve the problem, but every little bit helps.
Michael Hatcher has owned a very promiment landscaping company in Memphis, TN, for nearly 30 years—Michael Hatcher & Associates. He has recently partnered with an organization called Memphis YouthBuild to help educate students in the landscaping industry.
Michael Hatcher & Associates was actually hired to complete the landscaping for a new addition at the Memphis Health Center in downtown Memphis. Memphis YouthBuild students have been invited to join the Hatcher team to assist with the installation of irrigation water heads, nozzles and controllers; preparing and tilling flower beds; selecting tree placement, planting and staking trees; planting of shrubs and mulching beds; and installation of groundcover.
Prior to assisting with this landscape project, which began January 20, the students participated in a meeting with the Michael Hatcher installation team to review proper safety techniques while on the jobsite, and also learned how to properly clean up the jobsite following completion of the project.
“Partnering with YouthBuild is an exciting opportunity for my team to become actively engaged as mentors for these young adults,” Hatcher says. “It is my hope that this relationship will continue to develop over time so that I may be able to employ those students who have a desire to learn about the landscape industry once they have graduated from the program.”
What is YouthBuild? YouthBuild is a community-based alternative education program for youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are high school dropouts, adjudicated youth, youth aging out of foster care, youth with disabilities, and other at-risk youth populations. The YouthBuild model balances in-school learning and occupational skills training that prepare at-risk youth for career placement.
About Michael Hatcher & Associates. Since opening its doors in 1987, Michael Hatcher & Associates has become one of the most respected names in the landscape industry. Growing from a three-man sole proprietorship to a multi-division corporate organization, the company has grown to become a leader in all facets of landscaping. Currently, Michael Hatcher & Associates has broadened its dream by creating an Employee Stock Ownership Program so the talented pool of employees can continue serving our customers for years to come.
