Source: Working Futures 2006, table 3.1.2. Based on CE/IER estimates.

For further data on total sector requirements by occupation see:

In England, managers and senior officials in the Lantra sector require high level management skills (64% of employers require this skill), literacy skills (47%) and communication skills (46%).  Foreign language skills are least required.  Skilled trades need technical and practical skills, with 49% of employers reporting a need for these skills at a higher level.

Source: Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Analysis of Current and Future Skills Needs 2005

In England, the majority of sector employers believe that occupational skill requirements will remain the same, including:

• management and communication skills for  managers and senior officials
• team working for those in skilled trades
• communication skills, plus technical and practical skills across all occupations

However, increases in skills, such as management, problem-solving, team working, technical and practical skills, IT and customer handling skills are expected.

Source: Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Analysis of Current and Future Skills Needs 2005

At Basic Trainee level in agriculture (Grade 1):

• under 16 years - £43 per week
• 16 years - £118.17 per week
• 17 years - £138.06 per week
• 18 years - £167.31 per week
• 19 years and over - £196.95 per week

The minimum rates of pay per week for full-time workers in agriculture:

• Grade 2 Standard worker - £217.63
• Grade 3 Lead Worker - £230.49
• Grade 4 Craft Grade - £256.62
• Grade 5 Supervisory Grade - £272.22
• Grade 6 Farm Management Grade - £293.67

Full-time flexible workers at this level should receive slightly higher rates of pay per week.  In additional to basic rates of pay, employees should be compensated with night work rates and standby duty allowances were applicable.

In the garden industry, there is considerable remuneration for executive posts.  Southern England has the highest rates of pay for this industry.  Garden centre manager and Nursery managers  are the two highest paid executive roles.  In nursery and garden centres, sales assistants over the age of 18 years are paid £4.85 per hour.  National averages per annum by occupational role include:

• Proprietor/owner/partner £25,518
• Employed director £26,863
• Nursery manager £23,075
• Office manager £19,761
• Nursery supervisor £17,573
• Nursery worker/officer worker £12,487 - £12,959
• Full-time sales assistant £14,434

Agency and seasonal workers in the garden industry should receive £6.58-£5.21 per hour.

Source: Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales 2005 and HTA 2005

For information on salary levels in the management and maintenance of botanic and historical gardens see the Heritage and Botanics Report (2005).

Two Lantra careers websites have case studies illustrating possible careers in the sector.  For young people, case studies are categorised by job sector on the ajobin.com website.  Each case study is a brief overview of someone working in the job, their qualifications and future plans.  For adults, case studies are on the A future in… website.

A variety of key roles in the environmental and land-based sector are identified by Prospects and detailed information is available.  Some selected examples include: agricultural consultant/adviser; animal nutritionist; environmental education officer; farm manager; horticultural therapist; and plant breeder/geneticist.  For information on these roles and case studies of others in the sector go to the Prospects website.   

The learndirect website also has detailed occupational profiles under the following categories:

animals, plants and land

environmental sciences 

These occupational profiles include information on entry points, training, working environment, employment opportunities and expected annual salary.

Sources of vacancy information

It is a difficult to specify any sources of vacancy due to the nature of the sector.  Some suggested starting places include:

• industry publications and websites
• Employer and Employer/Trading Association (NFU, HTA etc.) websites
• certain newspapers such as the Guardian on Wednesday)
• specific recruitment websites
• subscription services, such as Countryside Job Service (predominantly environmental)
• employers will recruit locally through colleges, universities or at the local shop/post office

Source: Supplied by Lantra 2006