The landscaping sector in Germany continues to grow. In 2025, the industry recorded a nominal revenue increase of 4.3 percent, reaching €11.11 billion. The number of companies rose to 19,900, employment increased to 131,700, and the number of apprentices climbed to 8,100. Yet given the magnitude of current challenges, this is still not enough. Not only in Germany but across Europe, companies report difficulties finding qualified personnel. The shortage is particularly acute among site managers and project leaders.
Europe is responding. Through the “Union of Skills,” launched the previous year, the EU intends to modernize education systems and address the shortage of skilled workers. “For us, it provides an important framework for the qualification, further training, and reskilling of environmental professionals,” says Egbert Roozen, Secretary General of the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA). As a member of an expert group, ELCA advises the European Commission on implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and is actively advancing vocational training for green-sector professionals across Europe.
A European Network of Competence Centres
One example is the recently established European Network of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for landscaping and horticulture. National associations, businesses, schools, and other stakeholders are part of this network. CoVE is a powerful instrument for attracting and developing skilled professionals because it includes 23 EU member states along with associated partners from Canada, Japan, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.
“We can align our labor market needs, learn from one another’s vocational education programs, develop innovative curricula, and create a European exchange network for apprentices and professionals,” Roozen explains. With the CoVE network in place, ELCA has already laid important groundwork and is now eagerly awaiting the presentation of the modernized EU Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy expected this autumn.
Europe’s Experts Provide Inspiration in Nuremberg
As Europe’s leading trade fair for the green sector, GaLaBau will provide important momentum in September. “Climate adaptation will be the defining topic this year,” says Dirk Böcker, Managing Director of the German Association of Landscape Contractors (BGL), the conceptual sponsor of the trade fair. In light of the dramatic environmental changes taking place, Böcker believes that industry professionals are increasingly becoming sustainable problem solvers.
Visitors will be able to experience this firsthand through concepts and solutions related to water management, urban greening, and resource-efficient construction, presented by selected exhibitors along the Green-Blue Path. They can also watch the Landscape Gardener Cup live. During this competition, the industry’s young talents demonstrate their skills. The top competitors from all regional associations compete for the German championship title. Year after year, the competition is a major crowd-puller within the supporting program while simultaneously highlighting the importance of qualified professionals.
