Starting the New Year Right: Non-Negotiables
As we are fully immersed in 2025, it's shaping up to be a year of planning ahead. Recruitment timelines can surprise many people. From hiring decisions to the new employee's first day, the process can take months. Notice periods seem longer than ever, which is why planning one step ahead is vital. I wanted to provide some tips and tricks that I have learnt from my experience in the industry over the years to hopefully give you a head start in planning your goals! As a side note, if you want to learn more about our recruitment timeline, you can do so here.
Key Considerations for Businesses:
Assess your team’s current size and skill set. Are there enough people to handle the workload, including coverage for sickness and holidays?
Identify skills gaps. Can someone on your team be trained to fill these gaps?
Determine when new hires need to start and plan accordingly. For senior or specialised roles, begin recruitment at least three months in advance.
While plans don’t always go smoothly, having support on hand can make all the difference. Our team is here to assist whenever you need us.
For me, planning is imperative. With the Horticulture team attending more events and client visits than ever in Q1, efficient time management is key.
Trends in recruitment for the first half of the year
From a horticulture perspective, the first quarter of the year seems to be the busiest time for me recruiting into nurseries. I get a mixture of people looking in advance and looking just before the spring starts. I tend to find we run a more successful recruitment process when we’re looking in advance, as it gives us time to properly analyse the market and run a strong, detailed process. Rushed timelines can result in errors.
By Q2, candidate availability becomes a challenge, especially for growers. Many candidates will stay with their current employer until the end of the season, even if they’re dissatisfied, as they want to do the right thing.
I always encourage businesses to plan around the spring and the start of the season. When the season starts, everyone is so busy trying to run a smooth operation and successful recruitment processes can be challenging.
When the weather gets nicer (in theory!), everyone gets busier. Candidates are less flexible for meetings and businesses are full steam ahead, so prepare where possible and be as flexible as you can!
Book your events in!
We have a packed first half of 2025! We’re excited to be heading to lots of events, conferences, and client visits. We have attended some already!
· I attended the HTA Member Event hosted by Taylors Bulbs in January.
· I ventured over to IPM Essen for the first time on the 22nd -23rd January!
· Ryan and Hannah attended the Brassica and Leafy Salad Conference on 30th January, delivering a talk on recruitment and succession planning.
· It was the BOA Conference in Stoneleigh on 5th February which Emily and I attended. I hosted a session and presented an LSC update on behalf of the YPHA.
· 25th -26th February – Emily and I will be heading down to Chichester for a couple of days to visit clients.
· Thursday 13th March – Emily, Kieran and I are hosting our second Executive Dinner at the George in Stamford, solely for horticulture and fresh produce businesses.
· 4th-5th March – Kieran and I are spending a couple of days in and around Kent visiting clients.
Looking forward to 2025
The ever-changing horticulture landscape keeps this industry exciting. Watching candidates I placed years ago climb the career ladder or complete long-term projects is incredibly rewarding.
I’m particularly excited to help graduates and entry-level candidates find their footing in the industry. Seeing the future of the industry grow into their roles is one of my favourite parts of my job.
Finding Your Dream Role
The best advice is simple: talk about your goals. Speak with a mentor or someone who can guide you on the skills and qualifications required for your dream job. Then, connect with a recruiter.
Timing matters: The best time to job search is when you have the luxury to wait for the perfect opportunity.
Stay visible. On the horticulture desk in 2024, we only advertised 60% of our vacancies, so you might not know your dream job is out there!
Final Thoughts
Planning ahead, staying adaptable, and fostering strong relationships are the keys to successful recruitment in 2025. Whether you’re an employer or a candidate, preparation and communication will set you up for success in the dynamic world of horticulture.
Want to schedule a chat about how myself and my team can help?
You can drop me an email at sarah@morepeople.co.uk or call me on 01780 480 530.
Click here to get to know me better!
