foreperson - landscape construction

A foreperson in landscape construction is an experienced professional who is often the go-to person on a landscape construction job site. A foreperson holds a leadership role; they are responsible for managing a crew of workers, including their health and safety, and ensuring project goals are met. A foreperson can wear many hats throughout one day and is the liaison between all the stakeholders involved in a project. As such, a foreperson is someone who is technical, flexible, hardworking, communicative, and good at problem solving.

WHAT ARE OTHER COMMON NAMES FOR A FOREPERSON IN LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION?

CREW LEADER, CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR, FOREMAN, LEAD HAND, TEAM LEADER, PROJECT SUPERVISOR

What will you do?

Forepersons play an important role in landscape construction, grounds maintenance, and in hardscaping. In general, they:

Coordinate the activities of workers who build, install, create or refurbish outdoor spaces by constructing hard landscaping features, such as paths, gazebos, patios, decks, hot tubs and pools
Establish work schedules and procedures, and coordinate activities with other work crews
Organize the planting and establishment of softscapes such as trees, gardens, lawns, shrubs, and hedges and turf including interior and exterior landscaping
Resolve work-related problems, and prepare and submit progress and other reports
Supervise and maintain health and safety standards
Resolve logistical issues related to moving equipment and materials on and off site
Plan and estimate the materials and labour requirements for individual contracts
Maintain financial and personnel records

Where will you work?

Forepersons in landscape construction mainly work in construction but are in demand across many industries, including:

What advancement opportunities are available?

Forepersons in landscape construction are seasoned professionals with years of experience in their field. Forepersons may have started out their careers as landscape construction labourers and gained enough experience to move into a leadership position as a foreperson. With enough experience, forepersons may advance to management positions at landscaping companies or garden centres. Some start their own companies or work as consultants.

Future employment prospects for forepersons in Ontario are positive. in 2020, there were over 460 job postings for forepersons and other landscape and horticulture supervisors across Ontario.

What can you expect to earn?

In Ontario, the median annual wage for a Foreperson – Landscape Construction is $56,160. Pending experience, responsibilities, location, hours of work, and qualifications a Foreperson – Landscape Construction can expect to make between $34,486 and $72,800.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE A FOREPERSON IN LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION?

Work Context

High frequency of decision making

Face-to-face discussions

Work in a group or team

Work Attributes

Dependability

Integrity

Attention to detail

Initiative

Leadership

Communication

What education and certifications do I need to do this work?

HOW DO I BECOME A FOREPERSON IN LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION IN ONTARIO?

There is no singular path to becoming a foreperson in landscape construction. In Ontario, some people will begin as landscaping labourers and later acquire additional training, education, and experiences to become a foreperson. Many employers consider it an asset for a foreperson to have educational, industry recognized professional development, technical and project management training and certifications and on the job experience in landscape design or landscape construction, though it is not required. Many employers look to hire forepersons who can show that they have the experience and knowledge to lead a crew of workers and ensure work is done in a safe and timely manner.

Many Ontario colleges and universities offer horticulture and landscape design programs as well as the horticulture technician apprenticeship program which will give you a solid foundation in horticulture and landscaping knowledge and expertise that is an asset employers may look for.

Examples of in-school training can include, but is not limited to:

Landscape construction
Pest management
Landscape equipment maintenance
Irrigation (components, pipe layout and spray rates)
Site layout, and grading and drainage
Workplace communication and applied trade mathematics
Applied safety procedures and first aid
Supervisory safety procedures

HOW DO I BECOME A CERTIFIED FOREPERSON?

While there is no specific certification for a foreperson in Ontario, it is also possible for individuals to obtain industry certifications to show their knowledge or expertise in an area of the landscaping and horticulture industry. For example, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association offers a national Certified Landscape Horticulturist Manager program.

Programs and Apprenticeships

FOREPERSON

Algonquin College
· Horticulture Industries Diploma

1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8

FOREPERSON

Algonquin College
· Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship

1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8

FOREPERSON

Durham College
· Horticulture Technician Diploma

2000 Simcoe St N, Oshawa ON L1G 0C5

FOREPERSON

Fanshawe College
· Horticulture Technician Diploma

1001 Fanshawe College Blvd. London, ON N5Y 5R6

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