In today’s competitive job market, gaining practical experience and real-world skills is crucial for students preparing to enter the workforce. Recognizing the need to nurture young talent and shape the next generation of landscaping professionals, Bland Landscaping Company has developed a comprehensive career and internship program for high school and college students. This program starts with generating interest in high schools through interactive student field day events, coordinating leaders of our industry as guest speakers to students, and organizing student field trips to our small farm & education center, Burkett Farm. On both the high school and college level we also have practice events for prestigious competitions like the 2024 National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) and the National High School Landscape Competition (NHSLC), as well as summer internship programs helping to guide students’ career paths and entry into the workforce.
Burkett Farm
Bland Landscaping Company, in partnership with Burkett Farm, is excited to collaborate with Wake County Schools to coordinate student field trips to the farm. This unique initiative aims to provide students with hands-on learning experiences, showcasing agricultural principles, the basics of small farming, and sustainable living. Through these field trips, students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the importance of agriculture, gain insights into sustainable farming practices, and foster a connection with the natural world. Bland Landscaping Company and Burkett Farm are committed to inspiring and educating the next generation about the significance of sustainable farming and its role in creating a more environmentally conscious society.
NCLC and NHSLC Events
Bland Landscaping Company takes great pride in nurturing the talents and skills of high school and college students through their student field day events. These events serve as an exceptional platform for students to hone their landscaping abilities and prepare for the highly competitive 2024 National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) and National High School Student Competition (NHSLC) organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and Albemarle Community College. For Fall, the hands-on activities will be open to all wake county schools agricultural program students, those preparing for the competition as well as those simply wanting to increase their landscaping knowledge. As spring arrives, we will host another event, this one open to all North Carolina college students wishing to prepare for the 2024 college-level event. Both events will include 5-7 student stations, each with a different industry topic and providing hands-on demonstrations.
Student Internship Program
Our summer internship program is almost complete for 2023. It is open to high school seniors and college students, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the landscaping industry over eight weeks and encompassing the main aspects of our business. Interns will gain hands-on experience in irrigation, landscape design, landscape installation sales/operations, and landscape maintenance sales/operations. Through a structured curriculum, interns will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced professionals, engaging in real-life projects and tasks. The aim of our program at Bland Landscaping Company is to equip students with a well-rounded understanding of the landscaping industry, preparing them for success in their future careers with our company and beyond.
Bland Landscaping Company’s comprehensive career and internship program aims to provide students with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in this competitive industry. Through interactive field day events, student field trips to Burkett Farm, and participation in prestigious competitions like the NCLC and NHSLC, students are given the opportunity to deepen their understanding of landscaping principles and gain hands-on experience. Additionally, the summer internship program offers a comprehensive overview of the industry, allowing interns to work closely with experienced professionals and engage in real-life projects. Bland Landscaping Company is committed to nurturing young talent and shaping the next generation of landscaping professionals, preparing them for successful careers with our company and beyond.