A TAFE NSW landscape design graduate from the NSW south coast is making his mark on the industry, winning national awards and establishing a successful business only three years after graduating.

Michael Bligh spent a decade working in marketing and advertising but decided to change careers and study the TAFE NSW Diploma of Landscape Design. He has had his talent recognised with three accolades in the Landscape Design Institute’s latest national awards, including winning Gold in the Residential Design: Rural/Regional Landscape category and Silver in the Emerging Designers category.

“To win awards from the Landscape Design Institute is a real privilege,” Mr Bligh said.

“It means a lot to me to receive a Gold in the Rural and Regional category specifically. I started my business in a regional area straight after qualifying from the Diploma, and although country gardens are so challenging to work on, the end results are even more rewarding.”

The spark for his journey from corporate marketer to award-winning landscape designer began years ago.

“I grew up on a diverse cropping farm in south-western Queensland. Our family home was set in a three-acre garden, so I always had a love of the outdoors, growing things, and gardens,” he said.

“When my parents moved house and I helped design their new garden on the outskirts of town, it sparked something that had been at the back of my mind for years – to explore my passion for landscape design.

“I did my research and decided to leave my 10-year marketing career and enrol in the Diploma of Landscape Design at the well-renowned TAFE NSW Ryde campus.

“TAFE NSW had the best reputation for plant knowledge, horticulture, and landscape construction, which provided me with a high level of comfort that I was going to learn what I needed to make a strong start to my new career. The Diploma provided me with the essential practical and theoretical skills I needed to kickstart my landscape design career and launch my own business.”

Mr Bligh’s business, Paperbark Landscape Design, is based in Berry on the NSW south coast, where he focuses on designing larger, country-style gardens.

According to NSW Government data, landscape architect and architect roles are forecast to grow by almost 10% between May 2023 and May 2028.

“I encourage anyone interested in becoming a landscape designer to take the leap and do it,” he said.

“It’s a hugely rewarding profession that blends creativity, practicality, and a love for the natural world. You can feel yourself making a difference to people’s lives by helping them create an outdoor space which genuinely boosts their own happiness and their connection with nature.”

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Landscape Design, Andrew Hewitt, said landscaping jobs are in demand.

“It is an exciting and dynamic career that’s experiencing considerable growth. Through TAFE NSW we’re providing the practical skills graduates need to secure a job and help meet industry demand,” he said.

“Our students come from different life and career stages. We pride ourselves on supporting all who are building or changing careers to get their foot in the industry door, to help them thrive. Examples like Michael highlight how our graduates help meet the need for workers in the landscape design industry and how valuable a TAFE NSW education is in providing the skills they need to get the job they want.”

Mr Bligh looks forward to continuing to use his new skills to deliver for his clients, saying, “Moving forward, I hope to keep growing my garden design studio and evolving in my work as a designer.”

“I’m lucky to work with great clients and on a range of interesting projects to keep me busy. I’m looking forward to exciting times ahead with several projects now at the construction stage and a variety of others on the drawing board.”

Media contact: Rob Virtue, Communications Specialist, rob.virtue@tafensw.edu.au.