By Jalelah Abu Baker

WORKERS in the landscaping industry are commanding higher salaries now than two years ago as a result of a structured training programme.

A recent survey by the Ministry of Manpower revealed that entry-level salaries in the industry have jumped 14 per cent within that time.

This data came from Mr Yong Fook Chyi, assistant director of the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE), a training centre set up by the National Parks Board and the Workforce Development Agency.

In the last two years, the centre has trained about 2,000 people for jobs across all levels of the landscaping industry at its Botanic Gardens premises.

In an industry update Mr Yong gave to mark CUGE's second anniversary, he noted, however, that jobs in the industry are notoriously unglamorous - synonymous with backbreaking, low-pay work under the hot sun.

Of the 21,000 workers in the industry, just under half are Singaporeans.

CUGE is working at improving the image of the industry and encouraging more Singaporeans to enter it.

There is a need to fill the 800 vacancies the industry has every year - a number expected to increase with the 2011 debut of Gardens by the Bay.

Higher salaries aside, the 'hardship factor' of the industry's jobs could well be lowered by the year end with the introduction of 'air-conditioned lawn mowers' - motorised mowers that have air-conditioned cabins for the operators.

Perks like this may lure people into the industry, but it is important that they understand the scope of the work, said CUGE director Teva Raj.

'They must know about the harsh work conditions,' he said.

Entry-level employees are expected to know how to prune and plant as well as operate basic machinery, among other skills.

CUGE has also gone on a charm offensive to attract more young people to the industry. It has given talks to students in the polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education, and arranged for them to take up internships with landscaping companies.

The industry offers three job levels - technicians, supervisors and managers, who now draw starting salaries of $1,000, $1,400 and $1,900 respectively.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.