BALI Chalk Fund

The BALI Chalk Fund, established in 1975 and a registered charity since 1981, exists to develop a highly skilled and engaged landscaping community, supporting students and training providers while addressing critical industry skills, recruitment shortages and employability.

Operating nationally, the Chalk Fund supports students studying Landscape, Horticulture and Garden Design at land-based colleges and universities from Level 2 upwards. Its Student of the Year Awards provide financial awards and industry recognition to outstanding students and their colleges, while Enrichment Grants fund essential practical training not covered by academic programmes, including spraying, mowing, first aid, equipment handling and industry safety qualifications. This training, assessment and certification bridges the gap between education and employment, making students work-ready.

In 2025, the Chalk Fund approved 218 technical and practical training places across five colleges, supporting 118 students to gain additional industry-recognised qualifications. Training included 99 spraying and chemical-handling certificates, 81 brushcutter and 71 pedestrian mower courses. The Chalk Fund awarded land-based colleges almost £40,000 in training last year and has crowned 76 Student of the Year winners across the UK.

The Chalk Fund is supported by its Champions and donations – trailblazing companies committed to “paying it forward” to the UK landscape industry. In return, their support helps them build connections with colleges and graduating newcomers, ensuring new recruits have the ticketed skills needed to start on site from Day One. Their support helps the Chalk Fund address the significant needs of a sector employing around 720,000 people, contributing £38 billion to UK GDP, yet continuing to experience substantial skills gaps and recruitment challenges.