Landscape Architect Articles

Teaching Awareness, Self Confidence 08-13-15 | News

Teaching Awareness, Self Confidence
Prepares Better Landscape Industry Leaders

Delivering training most effectively to landscape industry workers, and measuring the impact of training on operations are two of the areas covered at the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance's educational program that is presented at various locations across the country.

"Train the Trainer" is the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance's educational program designed to teach landscape company supervisors, from foremen to branch managers, the skills needed to effectively advance the self-awareness and technical knowledge of coworkers.

A recently announced, two and a half day West Coast session will take place from August 23-26, at the Retreat and Conference Center Mary & Joseph in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

"Train the Trainer bridges the cultural gap by increasing awareness and understanding, and prepares attendees to assume greater responsibilities as trainers and leaders," said Ralph Eg????(R)?es, executive director of the NHLA. "It is such a special experience to witness the growth of those participating and knowing that our efforts are helping them not only gain new skills, but also acquire a different and more positive perception of themselves and the self-confidence to take their careers to the next level."

Among the topics covered are: how to assess the need for training, how to develop training to meet specific needs, how to deliver training most effectively to landscape industry workers, how to determine if learning is taking place during the training, and how to measure the impact of training on operations.

Denison Landscaping Inc., a family-owned and operated full service landscape company based in Maryland, had two Denison employees attend the NHLA's Train the Trainer program in Baltimore, Md., this past February.

"We chose two of our top Hispanic foremen that we felt had the most to gain from this training," said Josh Denison, human resources and operations manager at the landscaping firm. "We wanted them to, first of all, gain confidence in themselves and their abilities to influence others within their group. The ability of an energized and outspoken, positive person in the field that wants to facilitate change and improve not only themselves but also the organization is invaluable."

Robert Garcia, of Heaviland Enterprises in Vista, Calif., serves as a great example of one transformed by the Train the Trainer experience. Garcia said the program helped him climb the ladder from irrigation technician to account manager.

"After applying all of the techniques that I learned at Train the Trainer in my everyday tasks, my efficiency and relationships grew stronger, making me more noticeable to the company and resulting in a promotion to division manager after less than two years working for Heaviland," Garcia said. "This kind of leadership training is imperative for Hispanic employees that have the potential to lead in our industry and I hope that my story can motivate others to learn new skills and also grow professionally."

For more information about the program, or to register, visit https://www.masverde.us/ttt.php.