New Milford, CT
March 19, 2008. Shayne Newman, CLP, CLT, president and CEO of YardScapes, Inc., in New Milford, Northwestern Connecticut’s leading provider of residential and commercial landscaping services, has become a member of the Landscaping Committee of CNLA – Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association. CNLA is a trade association of owners of nurseries, garden centers, landscapers, nursery and perennial growers, and landscape designers throughout Connecticut. More than 1,000 nursery and landscape businesses operate in the state’s 169 towns, and nearly 500 are members of CNLA.
Newman encourages YardApe employees to become PLANET Certified Landscape Technicians (CLT). PLANET represents professional interior and exterior landscape maintenance, installation, and design/build contracting firms, lawn care firms and industry suppliers on a national basis. The organization’s CLT program promotes the growth and credibility of the interior and exterior landscape industry, and provides professional recognition to individuals engaged in the business of landscape contracting. The objectives of PLANET’s program are to raise the standards of the profession; encourage self-assessment by offering guidelines for achievement; identify people who possess acceptable knowledge of principles and practices of the profession; and to improve performance within the profession by requiring participation in a continuing program of professional development.
“Becoming certified takes, on average, two years of education and testing,” explains Newman. “CLT means that an individual has passed a rigorous training and testing process that guarantees he or she can deliver the industry’s highest standards of knowledge and skill. These professionals have learned the absolute proper management and care of property. They provide the skilled execution of top quality work, are dedicated to safe practices, and they sustain superior, up-to-date knowledge of the landscaping industry. They are certified to work effectively under pressure and to meet deadlines. They are the backbone of YardScapes’ success.”
CLT testing makes up approximately 75% of the YardScapes’ Ape Achievements program, the company’s structured training and rewards program that Newman launched in 2006. “We include CLT testing along with several internal company tests, including becoming bilingual and obtaining a driver’s license. Our testing system allows YardScapes to measure and quantify each employee’s progress so they become eligible for pay raises as they learn the trade. We want qualified professional crew members who are trained, motivated, experienced, and who truly take pride in their work.”
YardScapes, Inc is a member of the Professional Landcare Network ; Connecticut Grounds Keeper’s Association; Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association; New York State Turf & Landscape Association;Environmental Industry Council; Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce; and the PLANET STARS (Safety Training Achieves Remarkable Success) Safe Company Program.
A resident of New Milford for 21 years, Shayne Newman founded YardScapes, Inc. in 1990 having worked in the trade since 1987. He has built the company into a million dollar plus business. Newman is Certified Landscape Professional, Certified Landscape Designer and Technician, and holds a Connecticut Supervisory Pesticide License and a B.S. in Finance from UCONN in Storrs.