Pesticides Application
FAQs
Do you run Refresher Courses? Yes we do. The Health and Safety Executive recommend ...
College Locations
What is LANTRA?
The Land Training Association. LANTRA is the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based industry and is licensed by the UK government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector.
LANTRA Awards specialises in qualifications and training for people in the land-based sector through a network of local approved centres and training providers, and has more than 30 years experience in this field.
What is NPTC?
The National Proficiency Tests Council. NPTC is the largest nationally recognised awarding body within the land-based sector with a history going back to the Young Farmer's Club Movement in the 1930s, when the achievement of skill was encouraged through competitions at club, region and county level.
NPTC works closely with LANTRA, the Sector Skills Council for land-based training and education, to ensure that qualifications are current and reflective of the industry's needs.
NPTC's aim is to promote competence and professionalism in the workforce of the land-based and related industries by the encouragement of continuous learning and the recognition of skill.
What is CPD?
Stands for Continuous Professional Development. In many industries and professions people are required to demonstrate their continuous learning and show that they keep up to date with current practices and legislation. In effect, this entails keeping a record of any training and development undertaken to update your skills. Even if your current employer does not actively operate such a scheme, it's a good idea to keep your own training portfolio to support and enhance your employment record and cv.
Are Pitchcare courses open to the general public and volunteer grounds people, or just for professionals?
Our courses are open to professionals and others over the age of 16, such as volunteer grounds maintenance people and domestic users.
Do I need any previous qualifications?
It is expected that all candidates will have some basic knowledge of either pesticides or machinery, as appropriate, before taking part in a Pitchcare course.
I've been spraying under "Grandfather Rights" - does this still apply?
Grandfather Rights allowed the application of pesticides without an operator's certificate of competence if the operator was born before 31 December 1964. A trained operator could therefore be someone who did not have a certificate of competence but who had attended some training courses
However, we understand that in the near future grandfather rights will no longer be acceptable and anyone who wishes to carry out pesticide spraying must have a certificate of competence.
More information on pesticides spraying
Can people with special needs be catered for?
Pitchcare strives to support all those who are working within the ground care industry. In the majority of cases special needs can be met. Please make us aware at an early stage of any special requirements you may have and we will do our utmost to accommodate you.
Who are your trainers?
We work with a team of fully experienced and accredited trainers, all of whom have a practical background in the land-based industry.
Where are the courses held?
Pitchcare courses are held throughout the UK, usually at sports venues such as golf courses, football and rugby clubs and local authority grounds.
How many people attend the courses?
At Pitchcare we strive to ensure that each candidate receives the best possible training and attention, therefore we usually limit the number of participants on our practical courses to 6.
The PA1 theory course can accommodate up to 12.
Our popular one-day spraying refresher courses, which are recommended for those whose original qualification was achieved more than three years ago, can take 10-12 participants.
How do I book on a course?
It's easy! You have 2 options: Book your course online or call 01902 440252 and make the booking over the phone
How do I pay for a course?
You can pay by credit card when you book on line, or by sending us a cheque with your order.
If a local authority or education establishment is funding your training, we can accept an official purchase order from them and they can pay on invoice. See our Payments/Refunds policy for full details.
What do I need to bring with me to the course?
You will need to bring your own Personal Protection equipment, something to write with, a calculator for the PA6 course and a packed lunch. Drinks are usually provided but you may prefer to bring a flask or cold drink.
You will need to bring one passport type photo for the NPTC assessment.
What is NRoSO?
The National Register of Sprayer Operators. NRoSO is a central register of sprayer operators who use Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a means of ensuring ongoing training. The scheme is open to anybody who holds an appropriate NPTC PA certificate of competence. http://nroso.nptc.org.uk/
What should I wear?
As the majority of courses are practical, just wear your usual working clothes and remember to bring with you your Personal Protection equipment.
For the PA1 theory training day, just wear comfortable casual clothes.
Is equipment supplied?
Knapsack sprayers are supplied; these are machines that have only been used with water for training purposes, so there is no risk of contamination of the training areas.
For boom sprayer training (PA2) the boom sprayer must be provided by the client.
For other machinery/equipment-based training the equipment must be supplied by the client and must be in good working condition.
Do I need to do a lot of writing?
No. Training notes are provided but you will probably want to add to these as you go along.
What format does the assessment take?
PA1 is a computer-based test (Global On Line Assessment) in the form of a multi-choice questionnaire. You do not have to be computer literate, as answering the questions is a simple process. However, you do need to be able to read the questions. (It's similar to the theory element of the Driving Test). You will have one hour to answer 33 questions.
It is possible to go through a 10 minute tutorial before taking the test. The tutorials can be accessed at any time from the City & Guilds website.
Do I take the training and NPTC assessment on the same day?
No. The NPTC assessment takes place 7-10 days after the training. You will be given a time when you should arrive on assessment day. It is very important to arrive promptly and it is not usually possible to change your allotted time.
The computer-based test is followed by a practical assessment
What is the pass mark?
You must attain a mark of 70% for each section to pass the assessment
How long after I finish the test will I know my result?
Your result is available immediately after you finish the test.
If I don't pass, how long do I have to wait before sitting a re-take?
Sometimes a re-test can be taken straight away, depending upon whether a re-test has been downloaded onto the computer and that there is sufficient time during the day. However, City & Guilds recommends a seven-day period before re-sitting.
When do I get my certificate?
Certificates are usually sent out within a week to ten days.
Do you run refresher courses?
Yes we do. The Health and Safety Executive recommend that experienced, full time operators who have achieved a Certificate of Competence should attend refresher training to maintain their skills and knowledge level within five years, and operators who use their skills less frequently should attend refresher training every two to three years. They further recommend that non-certificated training is also followed up by a refresher course in the same time periods.
Pitchcare are able to offer refresher training whether you gained your initial qualification through one of our courses or from another provider. Refresher courses take place over 1 day and include both theory and practical sessions, usually using your own equipment.
Register your interest in refresher training.Is PA1 a legal requirement?
Yes, if you want to spray pesticides. If you do not pass this, you cannot move onto the next module, eg PA2 or PA6.
More information on pesticides spraying
Payment and Refund Policy for Training Courses including Cancellation and Substitutions
Pitchcare.com Limited accepts firm course bookings by post, fax, e-mail and through the Pitchcare.com Limited web site. In making such bookings clients accept this payment, refunds, cancellations and substitutions policy.
All fees are payable in full no less than 21 days prior to the date of the Training Course. Places on Pitchcare.com Limited Courses are strictly limited: upon confirmation of your booking your place will be confirmed and an invoice issued.
Cancellation charges are applied in all cases. We regret that we have to do this, however all bookings involve administrative costs and it is difficult to fill spaces made vacant by late cancellations. Cancellation charges depend on when the written cancellation notice is received. A full refund will be given only if no less than 21 calendar days notice is given of a cancellation, see below for refund rates:
Alternatively, a substitute delegate can be named at any time before the course. There will be no extra surcharge for making a substitution.
No refund will be payable for non-attendance or if no prior notice of cancellation is given. The refund will be issued after the course.
It may be necessary for reasons beyond the control of Pitchcare.com Limited to change the content and timing of the course, the date, venue or instructor. Pitchcare.com Limited reserves the right to cancel a course up to and including the date of the course if insufficient bookings have been received. We will strive to give as much notice as possible in such an event. In all cases, people who had registered to attend a cancelled course will be given the option of a full refund or of rescheduling to a future course date, but Pitchcare.com Limited disclaim any further liability.
