Garden Centre Association members will hear from Human Resources professionals as well as peers on the topic of recruitment and retention during a free webinar next month.

The GCA is hosting the event, chaired by GCA Chairman Tammy Woodhouse, on Thursday, December 7 from 9.30am and it’s aimed at members’ HR departments and retail departmental managers.

Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive, says: “All Members and Associates Members are welcome to attend this free online event. The focus will be two hotly debated topics in recent times – recruitment and retention. We’ve Tracey Bowler HR Director from Millbrook Garden Centres and Jo Ripley HR Manager of Squires Garden Centres, who will share their recent experiences and any ideas they have to overcome current challenges.

“We’ll also hear from the main two players in horticultural recruitment, who have some interesting research to share. First up, we’ve Sarah Want of MorePeople, which has recently published a survey on staff benefits and retention of employees. She’ll be followed by Ruth Bolam of Horticruitment, which has conducted a survey on what people like to see in a job advert and what attracts candidates to apply.

“Both will also be able to help with any recruitment trends or tips on how to find and keep the right people. There will be an opportunity for attendees to share their stories and ideas as well and to ask questions too. 

“If there is time at the end, attendees can share with each other any general HR experiences they may have had or anything they have recently learnt. The expectation is that this will last for no more than 90 minutes. Please email me peter@gca.org.uk if you would like to attend, so that we can send you the invitation link.”