WILTSHIRE College & University Centre is to host a land-based Trade Show and Careers Fair this summer to celebrate and promote the diverse range of options available across the sector.

The event will take place on the 1,000-acre Lackham campus – home to the College’s diverse range of land-based courses – on Friday, July 1 from 10am-3pm and has a particular focus on landscape and horticulture trades.

Industry suppliers and employers are being encouraged to take part in the event by holding trade or information stands.

Already, several leading organisations have registered, including the National Trust and the Forestry Commission, as well as industry-leading equipment manufacturers and service providers such as Kersten, Dennis and EcoSulis.

Schools and visitors are welcome to attend as the show aims to showcase the varied career options available and provide students with the opportunity to meet with potential employers.

The show will also promote innovation within the industry from area experts as well as provide key sector associations with potential collaboration and partnership opportunities.

Victoria Fiander, Assessor in Horticulture at Lackham and the event organiser, said: “We’re delighted to be able to host a Trade Show and Careers Fair at Lackham to showcase the vast opportunities available within the horticulture and landscape industries. We’re pleased so many organisations have already agreed to take part.

“The horticulture and landscape industries are continuing to diversify and adapt in relation to sustainability and in response to the global climate crisis. By responding positively to these challenges, the industry will benefit from expanding business opportunities and an abundance of career opportunities.

“As a training provider of a wide range of horticultural qualifications, collaboration with industry is essential to ensure learners are in alignment with current industry ideas and solutions.

“This enables us to train our students to industry standards, provide a demonstration of best practice and gives added value to employers looking for a highly-skilled workforce that can respond to future challenges.”

The College’s Lackham campus is an important land-based education centre which promotes productivity and sustainability and provides its students with the skills and knowledge to support land-based industries.

Lackham is also a Royal Horticulture Society-certified training centre and all courses are designed to meet the demands and needs of both students and employers.

Further businesses and organisations are welcome to register by visiting https://bit.ly/3Pql4xB. Schools and visitors can also register their attendance.

For more information, contact Victoria Fiander via victoria.fiander@wiltshire.ac.uk.