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Landscaping businesses are preparing for the 2024 season while dealing with challenges like economic uncertainty, seasonality, and industry-wide labor shortages. But, with limited time and resources, it can be stressful to know which strategies can help attract and retain employees.
Lawn & Landscape Magazine just published the 2024 State of the Landscape Labor Market Report, and the data shows that last year’s challenges are sticking around. In fact, 59% of survey responders said that the labor market is still slightly or much worse than before COVID-19 hit four years ago.
We’re highlighting some of the stats, along with strategies and solutions, to help address the labor problem.
Landscape labor challenges: year in review
In 2022, 84% of polled landscape business owners said that finding and keeping qualified labor was a major challenge. 2023 showed similar struggles, with 86% reporting that they currently have at least one open position.
Anecdotally, we’re hearing business owners say that the demand for work is trending downwards, which can be discouraging. But with increased competition for the demand, it’s more important than ever to have employees who do quality work efficiently.
Retaining quality employees
Not only is hiring employees a challenge, retention remains a huge area of opportunity for landscape companies. Key employees aren’t just jumping to competitors, they’re being laid off seasonally and getting recruited by non-industry organizations.
By the numbers
- 45% of respondents have had an employee poached in the last year.
- 49% of respondents lay off employees during their off-season.
- 39% of companies are having key employees recruited by non-landscaping organizations.
If you’re constantly hiring new people, your team isn’t getting the experience necessary to perform as efficiently and effectively as possible.
How do we solve the employee retention problem?
Good employees stay in companies where they are valued, compensated fairly, and can see a path toward growth. And yet, many landscape companies are not providing these key assets. So it’s no wonder that high-preforming people will go where they’re appreciated.
By the numbers
- 63% of companies do not have a recruiting and retention strategy.
- 79% of companies don’t have a documented career ladder that employees can see.
- 45% don’t have an organizational chart.
- 46% do not have a safety training program and 48% don’t have weekly safety meetings.
- 88% of companies do not have an apprenticeship program.
Creating a clear career pathway, including an apprenticeship program, is a way to offer clarity in growth as well as show your employees that you’re willing to invest in them. Holding regular safety check-ins not only prevent accidents, but prevent costly repairs and medical bills.
Download the 2024 State of the Landscape Labor Market Report
The 2024 State of the Landscape Labor Market report is filled with data-driven insights, as well as strategies and examples of how you can solve your retention problem. Download the report to learn how other businesses are ensuring their workplaces are set up to succeed in 2024 and beyond.
Download the 2024 ReportIf you want to learn how to effectively gauge your business’ productivity and communicate better with your crews, reach out to one of our experts for an LMN Demo.
Greenius can help you develop a complete training program. We have ready-made courses on safety and equipment maintenance, and can help you create your own custom content. Schedule a demo to learn more.
