Yvonne Grace

Project Title: Training needs evaluation of the horticulture workforce in the Leinster area

Project Description: 
The scope of the research will be to focus on the industry stakeholder perspective in the Leinster area. The data collected will identify any skills gaps across the four proposed horticulture sectors Nursery, Landscaping, Turfgrass and Food Production.

It has been proposed in order to present meaningful data 100 stakeholders will be invited to take part in the research. The analysis of the collected data will form workable recommendations for future horticultural training. All responses will be confidential and rendered anonymous. All information will be presented under the umbrella of the four sectors. Yvonne Grace will be solely responsible for all coding and transcription, once coded all information that may identify a stakeholder will be destroyed.

The placement period in Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture at the National Botanical Gardens will provide clarity on the training structure offered by Teagasc. It is essential for the researcher to observe the current means by which education engage with the Teagasc Horticultural Development Unit, in Ashtown, and with industry stakeholders, and potential learners.

The key reason for this research is to identify what skill sets the industry requires from present and future employees, and to relay this data to training providers in order to support and strengthen the horticulture industry.

Teagasc Supervisor: Mr. John Mulhern, Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture

UCD Supervisor: Dr. Caroline Elliott-Kingston, UCD.

Location: Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture

Download: Yvonne Grace Presentation (Powerpoint)