The total regional land-based workforce is an estimated 34,000, but this figure may underestimate those self-employed and part-time staff.  Migrant workers and volunteers may also not have been captured in the employment estimate.

There are approximately 5,000 businesses operating wholly or principally in the land-based sector.  London has the largest concentration of floristry industries of any region, together with the environmental conservation industry in terms of numbers of businesses and employment levels.  A number of larger landscaping establishment headquarters are based out of the London area in the South East, but operate in the London area. 

Key statistics on the region:

• 98.1% of businesses employ less than 10 people or no staff
• 79.3% of the workforce are staff, 20.7% are proprietors
• 31.6% of the workforce are aged 25-44 years (compared to 56.1% in all London sectors)
• 40.9% aged over 45 years (compared to 32.2% in all London sectors)
• 48.6% of the workforce are male (compared to 55.1% in all London sectors)
• most common annual business turnover is £100,000 (compared to £870,043 in all London sectors)
• there is a higher proportion of learners aged 44 and over compared to other regions
• no businesses report skills gaps

Skills currently needed amongst land-based businesses in the region include: customer relations (92.7%); literacy (80%); numeracy (80%); and communication (80%).  All these skills will be required to a high level in the future, whilst advanced technical skills will be needed.  There will also be an increase in demand for computing and IT skills.

The sector does not have a full range of education and training provision in the region, particularly in priority industries such as landscape, environmental conservation, and trees and timber.  There is an absence of foundation degree provision.  In 2003/04, there were 402 enrolments on environmental and land-based sector related higher education courses (including degrees and HND/HNC).  The number of enrolments on land-based degrees has increased by 86%, whilst enrolments on HND/HNCs have fallen by 21%.

Training providers in the region offer both full-time and part-time learning, work-based learning, technical skill development and continuing professional development.  58.2% of establishments report that general training courses are available to the workforce.  Of those establishments that access training courses, 42.1% report qualification courses and only 4.1% use certificated training

Key drivers in the region:

• many industries within the sector, including landscaping, horticulture, fencing, land-based engineering and environmental conservation will play a key role in ensuring that the built fabric for the Olympic Games is completed to specification
• the Olympic effect coupled with urban regeneration will create opportunities in landscaping, fencing and green space management
• animal health and welfare legislation is likely to require higher levels of inspection and control

Source: Lantra London Consultation 2005 and Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Annex 2.6 2005

For data on regional workforce by industry see:

Distribution of Lantra workforce and businesses in London, 2005