GROW Program requires your feedback 12-2020

Dear LO Members,

Thank you all for your continued support of the GROW New Entrant training program.

With the changing times and COVID-19 restrictions, we have been seeking regular guidance from the Halton and Muskoka Health Units as required by the government. As Halton is currently at a Red Level, the province is indicating that LO is permitted to offer the program to a maximum of 8 participants during the weeks that we are scheduled to deliver in class training (plus 1 instructional staff and 1 technician) per indoor facility at one time. LO and the Grow program is committed to stopping the spread of COVID-19, and also delivering a safe program that provides new entrant workers to the profession who will fill in-demand positions with our employers.

During the Toronto and Hamilton Program Advisory Committee meeting last week, we proposed delivery of 2 Landscape Installation & Maintenance – Softscape programs being delivered in 2 separate bubble/cohorts but in the same building (LO Greenhouses), and 1 LIH program at VBI/LO School (across the parking lot) during the winter months. With Halton at the Red Level, we will only be able to support one LIMS program at a time in the Greenhouse, not the proposed 2. In addition, we can support 1 LIH program at a time.

As we must reduce the number of participants to meet COVID- 19 regulations, we need your input on whether or not we should continue with the plan to deliver both the Landscape Installation & Maintenance- Softscape (LIMS) and the Landscape Installation- Hardscape (LIH) programs. This will depend on the technical skill sets that employers like yourselves require from new workers for in-demand positions starting spring 2021.

Below is a list of the technical topics only that each program will offer for your review and consideration, followed by a link to a quick survey:

LIH – Technical Curriculum Topics:

• Basic Plants & Planting
• Basic Hardscape Calculations
• Basic Plant ID
• Basic Turf Installation
• Basics of Grading & Drainage
  • Equipment – Preventative Maintenance
  • Fuels & Mixes
• Guest Speakers TBD
• Hardscape Materials
  • Introduction to Stone Saws, Power Blowers and Safe Operation
• Introduction to Hardscape Installation – Pavers
  • Introduction to Measurement & Scale Ruler
  • Introduction to Plan Reading & Site Layout
  • Landscape Equipment – Preventative Maintenance
• Tool & Equipment ID & Safe Use
  • Working Around Equipment
• Workplace Safety & Tailgate Talks

LIMS Technical Curriculum Topics:

• Botany
• Fertilizers
• Fuels & Mixes
• Garden Maintenance
• Grading & Drainage
• Guest Speakers TBD
• Herbaceous Pests
• Introduction to Measurement & Scale Ruler
• Introduction to Mowers/Line Trimmers, Blowers & Mowing
• Introduction to Plan Reading & Plant Layout
• Introduction to Soils
• Landscape Equipment – Preventative Maintenance
• Softscape Materials
• Plant ID
• Pruning
• Spring Clean Up
• Tool ID & Safe Use
• Tree & Shrub Planting
• Working Around Equipment
• Workplace Safety – Tailgate Talks

Please click on this Survey Link to provide us with your feedback.

Thank you for your commitment to the GROW Program. Your input supports LO in providing the best value to the profession and the government.

Best,
Sally Harvey and Andrea Annis