Training & Education

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your skills, there are a range of training resources to help you achieve your professional goals.

Top University Programs in Landscape Architecture:

• Harvard Graduate School of Design
• University of California, Berkeley College of Environmental Design
• University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design
• National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) – Accredited Schools

Leading Trade Schools for Hardscaping Skills:

• Pennsylvania College of Technology
• The North American Trade Schools

Online Courses and Certifications:

• Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association Certificates
• Coursera: Landscape Design Courses
• LinkedIn Learning: Landscape Architecture and Design

Exploring College Majors for Hardscaping and Related Fields

Choosing the right college major is a crucial step in building a career in the hardscaping industry. For those interested in installation or design, majors such as landscape architecture, horticulture, and civil engineering are excellent choices. However, the industry also offers diverse career opportunities in areas like marketing, sales, business management, and project management.

• Landscape Architecture: Ideal for those interested in designing functional and aesthetic outdoor spaces.
• Horticulture: Focuses on plant cultivation and management, essential for creating lush and sustainable landscapes.
• Civil Engineering: Provides the technical knowledge needed for constructing durable and safe hardscaping structures.
• Marketing: Critical for promoting hardscaping services and products.
• Business Management: Key for running a successful hardscaping business.
• Project Management: Ensures that hardscaping projects are completed efficiently and on time.

For more information on choosing a college major, you can visit resources like College Board and ACT.

College Fairs and Additional Resources

Attending college fairs can be a great way to explore different programs and connect with representatives from various schools. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) hosts a range of college fairs that can help you find the right fit. Visit the NACAC College Fairs page for more information.

SkillsUSA/SkillsCanada

Another valuable resource is SkillsUSA/SkillsCanada, which annually hosts competitions at the national and state/provincial levels to help develop and showcase the talents and skills of students in various trades, including hardscaping. These championships provide a platform for students to demonstrate their expertise and gain recognition in their chosen fields. To learn more about these competitions and how you can get involved, visit the SkillsUSA or Skills Canada pages.

National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC)

The National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) is an annual four-day competitive event that attracts hundreds of students majoring in landscape-related programs from more than 65 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. This event is held each March at a different host college or university.

Over 100 companies from all over the country participate in the NCLC Career Fair. Every one of them is looking for employees.