Landscape Gardening

WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

Occupation description and WSOS

The name of the skill competition is

Landscape Gardening

Description of the associated work role(s) or occupation(s)

The key role for a landscape gardener is to design, install, and maintain gardens and landscaped areas. The landscape gardener will need to meet with clients to discuss their proposed projects, provide advice and guidance on the practicalities of the project, and carefully interpret the client’s wishes.

Projects can be varied and incorporate private and public gardens, parks, public open spaces, sports, and recreation venues, playgrounds, and other landscaped areas. The landscape gardener must be able to develop innovative schemes that meet the needs of clients and comply with planning regulations, while retaining a vision of how the finished project will fit into the overall area and how garden spaces interact with urban environments.

The landscape gardener may be involved at all stages of a project from the initial consultation and design, throughout the installation process, project managing and supervising the installation team, to providing advice and guidance on on-going maintenance and development as the garden grows and matures.

A detailed knowledge of both hard and soft landscaping is required, including knowledge of plants and trees in order to produce and implement a balanced plan that takes account of the area’s advantages and limitations relating to soil type and structure, geography, climatic conditions, and planned use. Knowledge and skills relating to hard landscaping and construction are also essential. Related skills such as electrical installation, plumbing, and irrigation systems are also needed to produce an overall project that is sustainable and has longevity.

A wide range of plants, natural recourses, and other materials are used by the landscape gardener. They must therefore be aware of the impact of such materials on the environment, both in terms of sustainability of manufacture, logistics, and also the impact of landscaping a natural environment and its wildlife.

Gardens and landscaped areas enhance the quality of life for millions of people across the world by providing beautiful areas for recreation and relaxation, open spaces in dense urban environments, appropriate spaces for people of all ages and abilities, and facilities that support community activity and cohesion.

For the landscape gardener there are global opportunities to be involved solving environmental problems and in revitalizing existing established habitations.

The WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

General notes on the WSOS

The WSOS specifies the knowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities that underpin international best practice in technical and vocational performance. These are both specific to an occupational role and also transversal. Together they should reflect a shared global understanding of what the associated work role(s) or occupation(s) represent for industry and business (www.worldskills.org/WSOS).

The skill competition is intended to reflect international best practice as described by the WSOS, to the extent that it can. The Standard is therefore a guide to the required training and preparation for the skill competition.

In the skill competition the assessment of knowledge and understanding will take place through the assessment of performance. There will only be separate tests of knowledge and understanding where there is an overwhelming reason for these.

The Standard is divided into distinct sections with headings and reference numbers added.

Each section is assigned a percentage of the total marks to indicate its relative importance within the Standards. This is often referred to as the “weighting”. The sum of all the percentage marks is 100. The weightings determine the distribution of marks within the Marking Scheme.

Through the Test Project, the Marking Scheme will assess only those skills and capabilities that are set out in the WorldSkills Occupational Standards. They will reflect the Standards as comprehensively as possible within the constraints of the skill competition.

The Marking Scheme will follow the allocation of marks within the Standards to the extent practically possible. A variation of up to five percent is allowed, if this does not distort the weightings assigned by the Standards.

WorldSkills Occupational Standards

Section		Relative importance (%)
1	Work organization and management	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: How gardens need to be designed to fit into their environment and may be constrained by size, the built environment, position, weather conditions, and the physical environment That garden use living materials and are dynamic and changing environments Local planning and construction regulations and how they relate to and impact landscape gardening The range of urban and rural environments where gardens and open spaces can be planned and created Sustainability issues relating to landscape gardening especially relating to sourcing of materials and gardens’ impact on their environments and wildlife Legal requirements and practices relating to health, safety, and environment The importance of sustainability and recycling materials The range of tools used by landscape gardeners and their use and maintenance The range of materials used by landscape gardeners The importance of working within prescribed budgets The importance of working effectively as part of teams How to interpret complex technical diagrams and design drawings Mathematical calculations and geometry as they relate to landscape gardening Dimensions, elevations, and spatial awareness
	The individual shall be able to: Safely and properly use appropriate tools such as hammers, chisels, table-mounted stone saws, and hand powered tools Ensure cleanliness and security of sites Organize work patterns, sequences, and logistics Take account of ergonomics, health and safety and personal protection Apply work processes in order to promote health and wellbeing Interpret complex technical diagrams and design drawings Source materials such as stone, trees, plants, and other natural materials Work effectively as part of teams and with other professions Deliver landscape gardening projects within agreed timescales and budget
2	Customer service and communications	5
	The individual needs to know and understand: The importance of effective and positive customer relations The importance of good teamwork and good working relationships with other professions Formal and informal communication methods, and their applications The use of ICT to support communications and work processes
	The individual shall be able to: Follow clients’ briefs Provide advice and guidance to customers on the design and creation of projects and restrictions such as budgets, planning, and environmental concerns Provide advice and guidance on ongoing maintenance Solve problems Provide excellent customer service Use a range of ICT for business processes and customer service
3	Garden design and garden design interpretation	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: Principles of good garden design International and cultural characteristics of garden design The environmental impact of gardens and open spaces in city and urban areas, and of functional organisms that support city life and improve people’s quality of life Use of gardens as meditative and sensory spaces Practicalities of hard landscaping, plumbing, electrical installation Various types of sports surfaces, their uses and installations The variety of public open spaces that require planning, such as playgrounds, sports areas, country parks, urban parks, and recreation grounds Types of soil and how they support plants, shrubs, and trees Environmental factors that impact on garden design such as weather, terrain, facing direction, and location The planned use and users of gardens or open spaces and how these impacts on the design Modern trends in garden design The impact of climate change on the role and scope of landscape gardening
	The individual shall be able to: Design gardens to meet clients’ briefs Design gardens that reflect the environmental character and to make best use of terrain, location, expected weather conditions, quality of soil, and natural environment, etc. Design gardens and open spaces that meet the needs of the planned users Identify and meet design requirements for environmental considerations and sustainability
4	Shape and place stones, slabs and precast units	15
	The individual needs to know and understand: The various installation methods required for each type of structure and the manner in which the assemblies’ pieces are best worked The range of stones, slabs, granite, and pre-cast units available and their uses The range and uses for cements, adhesives, and supporting materials The equipment used to calculate and measure levels, uprights, angles and areas The importance of accuracy Mathematics principles that need to be applied to garden design and implementation Sources of supply for hard landscaping materials
	The individual shall be able to: Assess the stability of the ground to ensure structural stability of finished products Prepare surfaces for hard-core and foundations by using earthmoving and excavation equipment, or by using hand tools Calculate hard-core requirements and implement onto planned areas Install aggregate bases of various descriptions for structures, including base materials in various layers and compact as prescribed Dispose of excavation debris and rubble in a sustainable manner, recycling where possible, and making appropriate consideration for the environment Read plans and dimensions and measure to scale from plans Chop, shape, and cut natural or man-made materials to required sizes and/or shapes Place single items and/or assemble multiple items as prescribed, for example steps, walls, walks, patios, and paths Construct hard landscaping with both loose or fitted methodologies Use appropriate cements, adhesives, and supporting materials correctly and in the most appropriate setting Follow instructions to create desired hard landscaping Translate measurements to full scale and mark on materials for cutting with appropriate marking instruments, or on site for layout with string-line Install structural elements, for example paving, steps, decks, turf, and “flat” areas, horizontally level or sloped as prescribed Install structural elements vertically level (plumb), for example fence posts Create surface drainage through slopes and related manipulation of grades of finished surfaces Protect surrounding environments and other living things Apply appropriate logistical strategies for storage, handling, moving, and security of materials
5	Cut materials and assemble vertical and horizontal structures not made of hard landscaping materials	18
	The individual needs to know and understand: Angles, square-cut, bevel, mitre, and other manners of cutting and joining timber/wood elements as prescribed in drawings/specifications The equipment used to calculate and measure levels, uprights, angles, and areas The importance of accuracy Mathematics principles that need to be applied to garden design and implementation Types of wood and their uses in garden structures Long term maintenance of wood used in gardens The range of materials used in garden structures including metal frames, glass, and safety surfaces
	The individual shall be able to: Read plans and dimensions and measure to scale from plans Translate measurements to full scale and mark on materials for cutting with appropriate marking instruments, or on site for layout with string-line Measure and accurately cut timber/wood pieces as prescribed Assemble timber/wood members using fasteners such as nails, screws, bolts, lags, brackets, and fittings Finish timber/wood assemblies through sanding and/or smoothing, staining, or other special treatments Install structural elements horizontally level or sloped as prescribed, for example paving, steps, decks, turf, and “flat” areas Install structural elements vertically level (plumb), for example, fence posts Create surface drainage through slopes and related manipulation of grades of finished surfaces Advise on, source and install outside and garden equipment such as playground equipment, barbeques, garden furniture, sheds, summer houses, etc. Install fencing, boundary units, and gates Utilize the best materials in the most appropriate environments, considering the end use, environmental conditions, and sustainability
6	Substrate, soil, and mulch	5
	The individual needs to know and understand: Various types and structures of soil and growing media How to assess and test soils to determine characteristics and uses The impact of various types of soil and growing mediums on planting The range of soil additives and their uses Environmental impacts from the use of natural products such a peat Habitat quality considering soil as a living organisms The functions of various soil additives, growing media, mulches, and composts
	The individual shall be able to: Install soil and/or soil improvers for planting as prescribed Install organic and/or inorganic mulch materials for planting or other purposes Apply recommended uses for soil types and additives Correctly use soil additives, growing mediums, mulches, and composts Correctly prepare the ground for planting a full range of plants and trees Prepare the soil area, turfing, firming it and levelling it as prescribed Prepare soil area for seeding a lawn Test soil to determine and evaluate best use
7	Planting and care of plants and trees	25
	The individual needs to know and understand: The classifications and botanical names of plants, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, fruits, and trees and how and when they are best used Plant growth and development and the impact on garden design and in a dynamic living environment Conditions that suit various plants, shrubs, and trees Different types of grass and lawn materials and their best uses Maintenance regimes for various plants, shrubs, and trees Diseases and pests that harm plants, shrubs, and trees Treatments for pests and diseases Sustainable, natural treatments for pests and diseases Safe handling, use and storage of chemicals used in landscape gardening Environmental and sustainable factors related to the use of chemicals
	The individual shall be able to: Prepare plants and trees for planting by removing packaging and protective coverings and ensuring the plants are in good condition Prepare soil and planting areas Handle and plant trees and/or shrubs Handle and plant perennials, annuals and/or ground cover in prepared planning beds Plant selected plants appropriately spaced to account for growth patterns and visual impact Design and plant areas that will look mature and natural on completion Handle and plant vegetables and herbs for both crop and decoration Maintain ongoing care of plants Install sods/turfs or slabs with joints as prescribed Finish turf areas by rolling or flattening for firm contact between root mass and soil, and eliminate bumps or hollows and spaces Seed lawns Provide on-going care and maintenance for lawns or turfed areas
8	Garden technology (plumbing, electrical, drainage, and irrigation)	5
	The individual needs to know and understand: Principles of plumbing and drainage in garden settings Principles of and types of irrigation systems The collection, storage, and use of rainwater The use, installation, and maintenance of water butts, water storage solutions, and irrigation systems Principles of electrical installation in a garden setting Health and safety requirements for the use, installation and maintenance of electrical and plumbed products and features Legislation that affects the installation and use of electrical and plumbed products and features
	The individual shall be able to: Install, connect, and test low-voltage system wiring, and components as prescribed for lighting, cooling, sound, and heat Install drainage structures such as drain inlets, catch basins, underground piping, and/or storage basins as prescribed Install systems for collecting and suing rainwater Install, connect, test and troubleshoot in-ground irrigation system components as prescribed
9	Water features	7
	The individual needs to know and understand: The variety of ponds, water features, and fountains used in landscape gardening How to install and maintain water features The processes for installing swimming pools and hot tubs Appropriate planting methods for ponds and water features Ongoing cleaning and maintenance requirements of water features
	The individual shall be able to: Install flexible pond-liners and prefabricated ponds Plant ponds and lakes with water plants Install all types of water feature Install swimming pools and hot-tubs Install and check all related pumps, plumbing, cleaning systems, and electric Provide ongoing care and maintenance for water features and ponds
	Total	100

References for industry consultation

General notes

WorldSkills is committed to ensuring that the WorldSkills Occupational Standards fully reflect the dynamism of internationally recognized best practice in industry and business. To do this WorldSkills approaches a number of organizations across the world that can offer feedback on the draft Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards on a two-yearly cycle.

In parallel to this, WSI consults three international occupational classifications and databases:

ISCO-08: (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/isco/isco08/)
ESCO: (https://ec.europa.eu/esco/portal/home )
O*NET OnLine (www.onetonline.org/)

References

This WSOS (Section 2) appears most closely to relate to Landscape Gardener:
http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/1009be17-7efd-45f1-a033-566bf179c588

O*net: roles are either basic or supervisory.
https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/37-3011.00

Adjacent occupations can also be explored through these links.

ILO 6113

The following table indicates which organizations were approached and provided valuable feedback for the Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards in place for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

There were no responses to the requests for feedback this cycle.