Director’s Corner
Growing Our Industry
from the
Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director
Ground Up
M
onths ago we conducted an informal industry survey to get an idea of career opportunities. Our survey was simple. It asked just one question: How much do you pay entry level employees? Results confirmed Virginia is consistent with national trends in at least three areas: (1) Jobs Abound – Today’s market is certainly one that favors employees. Many job openings are never filled. How times have changed. Years ago, hundreds of applicants fought over every position. Now, because of a lack of employees, companies are turning down lucrative contracts and even scaling back operations. (2) High Starting Salaries – Depending on the industry segment, starting salaries range from $8.50 to $18.00 per hour. Remember, these wages are paid to entrylevel persons who meet basic requirements for employment, such as passing a drug screening.
Great Advancement Potential – Employers want long
(3)
term relationships and are willing to pay to help their workers obtain – or to improve – skills. I was told repeatedly of companies offering to pay for college courses and other training. Knowing the tremendous opportunities in our industry, several of us traveled to Richmond to meet with a representative of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Why seek out the VDOE? Research consistently reveals many persons who pursue careers in turfgrass and other green industry professions make the decision early. High school, middle school, and even elementary school years are all critical. One retired professor made the decision to become a tree fruit specialist when his fourth grade science class sprouted bean seeds. That humble bean sprout in an inner city classroom led to an extensive university career. Many persons worked together to ensure the success of our VDOE
8 | Virginia Turfgrass Journal July/August 2018 www.vaturf.org
meeting. Board member Jimmy Viars made the initial contact. Mike Goatley took time from his unexpected teaching load to travel to Richmond for the meeting. Marc Moran has a multiyear history of teaching turfgrass as part of his agriculture program. Karen Carter recently retired from Virginia Cooperative Extension and attended the meeting because she is now helping us administer the turfgrass certification programs we wish to introduce to Virginia schools. The state representative was very receptive. She let us know 16 schools offer at least one of the two VDOE approved turfgrass programs. Teachers in five of those schools have over 400 students. (That is a very significant number!) We were asked to help VDOE upgrade their curriculum to reflect industry needs. That task is ongoing and is one we gladly accepted! This is a very good time for the turfgrass industry! Opportunities for both employers and employees abound. And Virginia’s Department of Education wants to work with the VTC to help them train students. c