IOG Saltex to host National Finals of UK landscape skills contest

IOG Saltex Show will host National Finals of UK Landscape skills contest.


Press Release

Three two-person teams from a series of three regional finals staged throughout the year will be completing a pre-determined 5 m by 6 m landscape project, from scratch, in just three days during the show. The winners - adjudged by a high-profile panel - will then go on to represent the UK in the prestigious bi-annual WorldSkills Competition being held in Helsinki, Finland, May 2005.

With the backing of UK Skills and professional organisations including BALI, the Institute of Horticulture, LANTRA and NAPAEO, the competition is one of many supporting NVQ skills training initiatives. Commercial sponsors include Marshalls, Hanson Building Products, Makita professional power tools, Rollins Bulldog, Finnforest UK, Hire Centre and Q Lawn Turf.

Commenting that the competition is "yet another new attraction at IOG SALTEX", Patrick Gosset, chief executive of IOG SALTEX organiser, The Institute of Groundsmanship, said: "The landscaping industry has always been an important element of IOG SALTEX and we welcome the opportunity to be able to host such an important event. We are sure that both the many landscape contractors, and the companies that supply them with the necessary equipment, who will be attending this year's IOG SALTEX will be enthralled by the event."


Howard Petch, Chair of the UK Landscape Skills Competition commented: "We are delighted to support this new competition as it will engage and excite the sector whilst also helping to raise standards in the industry by encouraging students to strive for excellence."


With more than 90 per cent of stand space already booked at this year's show, IOG SALTEX is aimed at everyone involved in open space management from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and leisure facility managers. The event focuses on fine turf and sports, turf maintenance equipment, children's play and safety surfacing, commercial vehicles, leisure and facilities management and software as well as security equipment.


Log onto www.iogsaltex.co.uk or call 020 8232 1600 for more information.