In-house landscape training goes international

Landscape Design Consultants International was established in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal in 1991. It is owned and managed by Jo-Anne Hilliar, a professionally trained landscape designer who qualified with a Garden and Landscape Design Diploma through the University of Natal in 1990. 

As landscapers to both the corporate and domestic market, Jo-Anne’s – JH Landscaping – grew substantially over the years, handling projects varying in scale from small, intensive schemes, to large, park-like expanses with a focus on indigenous and water-wise landscaping.

Jo-Anne also used her prior experience as the training and marketing director of an industrial relations firm to establish a landscape design school in 2001.

In 2005, JH Landscaping shifted its operational focus to offer landscape design consulting expertise in managing, overseeing and auditing expansive commercial, industrial and environmental sites across South Africa.

Over time, the operational focus moved to the international market.  Following this move, Landscape Design Consultants International now offer international consulting services which aid in the development of landscapes and landscape designers working within the green industries globally.

Through her consulting wing, Jo-Anne now offers in-house landscape training internationally.

In-House Training – Internationally

In-house training programmes have come about as a result of companies finding themselves with staff who are not adequately trained to carry out work on-site in a manner that requires little or no come-back.

International companies partner with Jo-Anne’s organisation to structure a training programme to meet their needs.

International in-house requests range from intensive landscape design to programmes that structure landscape maintenance and landscape management programmes. There are also frequent requests for personalised mentoring and specialised training for staff.

The advantages of running programmes in-house, are numerous.

    • Jo-Anne’s landscape training courses are well-established and well-respected. They also teach a high standard of work ethic.
    • Communication standards are high and the programmes offer a successful training service
    • Programmes are practical and outcome-based, ensuring that not only will the staff members’ skills be improved, but also act as an overall confidence boost to the individual and the team as a whole.
    • The objective of the programme is to increase the quality and standard of work output by the individual and therefore to the company in increased productivity levels.

There are a number of programmes offered in-house to the green industries globally.