Jan 11, 2008

Green Industry Associations Join Forces to Create Careers WebsiteSource: ANLA, ASHS, PLANET

Associations from across the country have joined forces to develop a national green industry careers website, designed to spark interest in the myriad professional opportunities the green industry offers, from landscape design to horticultural production.

The website, initiated by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) and the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) is expected to launch this summer. The founding partners were joined by 25 state associations and two national association sponsors, the American Society for Horticulture Science (ASHS) and the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA), whose involvement will enable the site to be truly comprehensive and world class, according to an association press release.

“MNLA volunteered to take a leadership role in this project because our members have identified workforce development as one of the primary challenges the green industry faces in the decades to come,” says Bob Fitch, executive director of MNLA, in a press release. “To thrive in the future, we need to do a better job of selling our story of the great opportunities there are to enhance the environment and our country’s quality of life by choosing a career in the green industry.”

So far, most of the industry’s efforts have focused on securing entry-level workers via reforms to the immigration system. However, a strong need also exists for future industry leaders, business owners and trained supervisory staff in all segments of the industry.

Although high school students are the new website’s target market, the site will also contain information for parents, teachers and guidance counselors. “The site will serve as the access portal to the many green industry career resources and will enable a single platform across all dimensions of the green industry,” states Tanya Tolpegin, CEO, PLANET in the press release.

For more information, contact Cassie Larson, MNLA communications director at (651) 633-4987 or cassie@mnla.biz.