Skills for Success (Essential Skills) Summary
Skills for Success are needed in a quickly changing world for work, learning and life. They are foundational for building other skills and important for effective social interaction. Everyone benefits from having these skills as they help individuals get a job, progress at their current job and change jobs. They also help individuals become active members of their community and succeed in learning.
Through extensive research and consultations, the Government of Canada launched the new Skills for Success model renewing the previous Essential Skills framework to better reflect the needs of the current and future labour market.
The summary presented here is based on existing Essential Skills profiles and will be updated to align with the new Skills for Success model over time.
Reading
Landscape horticulturists require reading skills to review work-related documents such as site plans, work orders, contracts, purchase orders, safety documents, product directions and specifications, promotional materials and technical manuals. They may also read trade publications, catalogues, scientific articles and papers, regulations and building codes.
Document use
Landscape horticulturists refer to drawings, photographs, contracts, legal documentation, field-level hazard assessments, plans (grading, lighting, irrigation, planting and drainage), tables, regulations, standards (e.g., Canadian Landscape Standard [CLS]) and other technical information related to their trade. They may also interpret scaled drawings of landscape designs and detail drawings and refer to schematics and specifications for various systems. Formats of these documents may be digital or paper.
Writing
Writing skills are used by landscape horticulturists to compose letters or e-mails to clients, contractors and colleagues, and to accurately record information such as safety, maintenance and production information. Landscape horticulturists write reports and articles covering landscaping and horticultural topics.
Oral Communication
Oral communication is a very important skill for landscape horticulturists. A substantial amount of communication is done to exchange information, instruct, convey knowledge and to coordinate work with others. They talk to clients about plant care, landscape design, maintenance and practices. They speak with other professionals including suppliers, landscape architects, architects, engineers and fellow crew members to coordinate projects.
Numeracy
Landscape horticulturists use numeracy skills to perform calculations and measurements such as site areas, distance, volumes, product application rates and slope. They also perform calculations related to estimating production schedules, material quantity take-offs, and labour rates. They also calibrate equipment such as spreaders and sprayers. They may calculate financial transactions such as purchasing and sales. They must be familiar with Imperial and metric systems of measurement.
Thinking
Decision-making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are required to determine how to allocate tasks associated with activities such as plant care, environmental protection, and selection of plant species, products and practices. Planning and organizing skills are used to coordinate and organize tasks with others involved in the process. Landscape horticulturists need to comprehend, interpret and apply safety documentation and regulations. They need to be able to understand plant identification and nomenclature.
Working with others
Working in teams is often a significant part of the job for landscape horticulturists. They coordinate work with others, including fellow crew members, supervisors, architects, clients, homeowners, surveyors, engineers, bylaw officers, contractors, landscape architects, other tradespeople and other landscape horticulturists. Landscape horticulturists mentor other employees and work respectfully and collaboratively.
Digital Technology
Landscape horticulturists use computers and other digital devices when researching and documenting horticultural information. They may also use applications for communication, word processing, labeling, spreadsheets, databases, recording and tracking, and global positioning systems (GPS). They use digital video and photography equipment to record and communicate information. They may use design, estimating, accounting and inventory software. They may use management software that incorporates electronic time sheets, real-time job data and inventory control. Digital controls may be used for irrigation and lighting systems.
Continuous Learning
Landscape horticulturists are required to stay up-to-date on landscaping and horticultural information and practices. They must be aware of regulatory requirements such as environmental protection and conservation, zoning and bylaws. Landscape horticulturists are governed by the regulatory bodies in the jurisdiction in which they practice. They are encouraged to participate in professional development through continuous education and maintain their industry-related certifications.