How Do We Help Landscapers and Why?

Being a landscaper and business owner is challenging enough without worrying about up-skilling and training staff. That’s where the idea for the TASK Landscaping Training Academy was formed. Founded by Rupert Keys of Keyscape Design and Construction, training has been a passion for much of his career, coupled with his landscaping experience meant TASK was the next natural step in his career. We delve deeper into Rupert’s journey and the beginnings of TASK.

Who is the man behind TASK?

Rupert Keys, started out in the industry as a young man working for Cheltenham Parks Department as a labouring gardener. Having learnt the basics from the roots, Rupert then went on to study a full time course at Pershore College of Horticulture.
Whilst at college Rupert was a team player in building the award winning show garden 'The Greening of Industry' at the 1992 Chelsea Flower Show. The first and only year a group of students won Best in Show and the Fiskar Sword of Excellence.

After leaving college Rupert set up Keyscape Design and Construction in Worcestershire, joined by his wife and garden designer, Ruth Gwynn.  Running a very successful landscaping business for the last 30 years, Rupert has also enjoyed building many award -winning show gardens at some of the top gardening shows in the country. Most recently in 2021 he was the principal contractor on the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) garden ‘What Lies Beneath’ in association with World Skills UK and designed by Professor David Stevens at Gardeners World Live 2021. Impressively the garden won a Gold and Best Construction awards.

2022 has been a busy show garden season, taking TASK and Keyscape to the RHS Malvern Spring Festival where they built the highly popular TASK Demonstration Garden and the ‘Affordable Gardens’ designed by Jess Russell-Perry. At RHS Chelsea TASK worked with designer John Warland on ‘The Plantman’s Ice Garden’ (Silver Gilt Medal) a 15 tonne giant ice cube which provided a striking reminder of the changing climate and the earth’s vanishing ice and permafrost.

With sustainability being the key theme for BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2002, Frances Tophill’s first ever show garden ‘Frances’ Garden’ was project led and built by Rupert Keys (Keyscape Design & Construction) and Ruth Gwynn (Ruth Gwynn Associates) and awarded the accolade of Best in Show and a Platinum Award.

Rupert has been featured as the landscape expert on many BBC gardening programmes both on camera and behind the scenes as well as contributing to articles for the gardening magazine Gardening Which?

Why TASK and Training?

Rupert passionate about the horticultural industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to TASK.

Over the years, he has been privileged to work with some highly respected organisations and landscape industry colleagues and experts, who are at the forefront of the industry and provide specialist knowledge in their field. TASK are looking forward to these valued connections with their students and course participants.

Having a passion for training and being a mentor and tutor on The APL Apprenticeship scheme at Myerscough College, working with World Skills UK and tutoring at The Cotswold Gardening School (CGS) it felt like the a natural progression for Rupert to set up TASK.

The dream was always to set up a training centre of excellence aimed at supporting the horticulture and landscaping industry to help bridge the skills gap that is all too prevalent here in the UK. Phil Tremayne, General Manager of The APL says;

“The APL are especially thrilled that the founder of TASK Rupert Keys, long term APL member, Apprenticeship and WSUK trainer is using his years of experience to train the future of our industry. The location of TASK is perfect, providing the APL with virtually nationwide coverage of exceptional training opportunities that are approved, trusted and of benefit to all that grasp them”

TASK training courses will be accredited by Lantra and offer hands on a wide range of practical courses with some theory, taught in small groups in the indoor and outdoor classrooms.

Why is it important to train yourself and your staff?

To increase landscapers’ confidence and bring an awareness of modern techniques within the industry. There can sometimes be a fear of being left behind, and training allows you to continue advancing your skills and developing yourself in the company you work for or own. By continuing to improve skills within your team you will remain ahead of the competition.

Where is training held?

The TASK training centre is set amongst a 5-acre small holding overlooking Bredon Hill, close to the market town of Pershore in Worcestershire.  TASK has been an evolving project and labour of love over the last few years for Rupert and his team. Existing buildings at the Academy have been completely modernised and equipped to the highest standards.

What makes TASK different to other providers?

The huge benefit of TASK is it’s central location making it easily accessible to attract participants from across the country to attend the broad rang of courses.

TASK is working with a small number of carefully selected supplier-based landscape industry partners and trainers to build important connections and deliver support from industry specialists.

“The Industry is telling us there is a need for this type of training and delivery, and we have support from almost 20 industry partners and an enthusiastic team of training partners. There is a huge amount of variety in specialist areas within the industry which students of TASK will be able to benefit from”

“Our vision is to improve the skills of current and future generations – each course has been designed and created with industry experts to ensure our students get the best learning experience”

Rupert Keys, MD and Founder of TASK

What’s in the pipeline for TASK?

TASK is officially launching on 10th September! Soft launch courses start from August and ongoing developments at TASK HQ include; completion of the training centre infrastructure, growing the team and creating content for new courses which includes public courses for the DIY enthusiast to give them an understanding of landscaping and the industry standards.

Sustainability within the landscape industry is key and very important to us and something we would like to introduce to our customers through our courses too.

Exciting stuff, watch this space!