Apprenticeship Update 2022

Apprenticeships in sports turf and greenkeeping are evolving with a desire to develop a new higher level sports turf level 5 apprenticeship. Recently, the (new standard) level 2 Sports Turf Operative Apprenticeship that was introduced in 2016 was under review by the representative employer group.

The revised standard will still have the end-point assessment (EPA) of an online exam, identifications and a practical day that covers the main tasks of sports turf over a 20-22 month period. It will also have the addition of a professional discussion that would be based on an apprentice's completed work-experience improving the delivery of the EPA process. New apprentices, should be able to be enrolled on this new version of the level 2 later in the year.

Level 3 Sports Turf Apprenticeship

For those wishing to progress from their current level 2 on to a level 3, there is good news! The level 3 sports turf apprenticeship will be reinstated. This brand new apprenticeship titled 'Advanced Sports Turf Technician' release is imminent having been approved by IFATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education) it is just awaiting sign off with the secretary of state in the Department for Education. This level 3 apprenticeship will be available to those in sports turf, grounds maintenance and golf greenkeeping. As a level 3, it has a 24 month duration, with an emphasis to supervise, mentor, advise others, evaluate gathered data relating to sports turf performance, supervise project work, agree budgets, and communicate effectively with others. The required knowledge and skills will include overseeing the preparation of playing surfaces, using a range of technologies, estimating, issuing maintenance plans, supervising machinery maintenance, soil water and moisture management, evaluating turf products (e.g. fertilisers, bio-stimulants, surfactants and plant protection products) and promoting sustainable surfaces amongst a good range of other criteria. Additional qualifications in pesticide application are mandatory and will be included in the funding, if not already achieved. Similarly, level 2 in maths and English (minimum GCSE Grade c / 4) will need to be achieved, if not already.

Having a clear progression routes for those wishing to take the next step in management and demonstrate career opportunities is an important part of the narrative to further professionalise and attract personnel into the turf industry. To this end, the next step would be to apply for the development of a level 5 in sports turf, in parity with the level 5 Golf Course Manager Apprenticeship that is currently available.

The work of the Employer Trailblazer group has been critical to the development of these qualifications and will continue to be so as the Level 5 develops. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of our colleagues at the following venues who have contributed and would encourage anyone wishing to contribute to the development of the level 5 qualification to get in touch with either Daniel Ratling or Jonathan Knowles.

Employers: Whitgift School, Leicester City Football Club, Oaklands College, Crossfields School, Training Unlimited, Warwickshire CCC, Myerscough College, Kings School Canterbury, Nottingham University, Warwick School, York Racecourse, Rugby Football Union, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, SMB Group, Grounds Management Association

Finding an Apprentice, training provider and the training requirements

Good advice for employers or managers seeking to recruit an apprentice, or even offer apprenticeships to existing employees, is first research a suitable training provider that fits your business. Day-release and/or visits by the training provider to the workplace are the most common, there are a small number of providers that also offer block-release too (see table). The apprentice will need to do 'off-the-job training'. This is a set amount of time dedicated to training and learning related to the skills, knowledge and behaviours of the apprenticeship. This time does not form part of an ordinary day's work, but is undertaken during work's paid time, typically delivered by the training provider. This equates to one day or six hours per week (e.g. day-release), but this can be flexible (e.g. fluctuate depending on seasonal workload), again this goes back to finding a provider that fits your business' needs. The remaining time of 'On-the-job training' is training related to the apprentice's job role and is delivered by the employer. Training providers are organised to support Apprenticeship provision and will often have dedicated personnel in their team to liaise and give guidance to support apprenticeship recruitment. From my experience, it is typically at no cost too. They can also advise on co-investment, negotiate fees, advise on the incentive payments and Apprenticeship, if needed. Plus a range of other aspects, such as health, safety and welfare (e.g. Young Persons' risk assessments); and writing a statement of particulars/contract of employment for an apprentice, advice on pay etc.

Three phases of an Apprenticeship

If you have not recently been involved with apprenticeships, then it is worth researching this relatively new type of 'standard' apprenticeship. It is different to the previous 'framework' apprenticeship with three distinct phases that are worth knowing. Firstly, there is a mandatory 'on-programme' 12 month training phase. This means there is no fast-track to gaining an apprenticeship in less than 12 months. Secondly, the Gateway phase is a formal sign-off that the apprentice is ready for the final assessment. And finally, the EPA phase. Assessment methods do vary between apprenticeships, but typically there will be a written and/or a multiple-choice exam, a practical day or presentation and a professional discussion. These standardised assessments are set to determine if an apprentice has the skills, knowledge and behaviours and at what level of attainment e.g. pass, merit or distinction. Finally, the apprentice will receive an Apprenticeship certificate from the Institute for Apprenticeship and Technical Education on their successful achievement via the employer.

For the latest detailed information about apprenticeships, visit the following:

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers/training-your-apprentice#:~:text='Off%2Dthe%2Djob',they%20can%20achieve%20occupational%20competence.

https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses

https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/ (search 'sports turf', and/or 'golf')

The following table offers all the known (at time of writing) listed providers for sports turf apprenticeships in England in alphabetical order with their corresponding delivery model.

Source searched (August 2022): https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses/145/providers

Source searched (August 2022): https://find-epao.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses