Greenkeepers Training Committee received Government approval
As a Government Trailblazer organisation the GTC, has, with the full support of England Golf and British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association worked with small and large employers and the leading Sports Turf colleges to review the current Greenkeeping Apprenticeship.
The new Apprenticeship has to have a series of graded, independent assessments at the end of a programme of education and these will ensure all future qualified Greenkeepers will have the skills, knowledge and behaviours as determined in the new Standard. Both the Golf Greenkeeper Standard and the Assessment Plan can be viewed at here.
David Croxton, GTC Trailblazer Chairman and Proprietor of Cold Ashby Golf Club, near Northampton, believes the new apprenticeship will provide a comprehensive learning programme supported by a detailed final assessment. Any student completing this will be able to say they are well on the way to a successful career path in greenkeeping. In an environment where education is becoming more and more expensive, particularly for those who choose to attend Universities, we see apprenticeships providing the pathway to gain high level qualifications while at the same time the employer gets good value for money and the student gets paid.'
Richard Flint, England Golf's Participation & Club Support Director says 'England Golf are delighted that the GTC has received Government approval for the Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Standard and deservedly so, with the hard work that has gone into the development of the standard in conjunction with all partners. This comprehensive learning programme will provide a strong foundation for greenkeeping and in turn help to develop stronger golf clubs.'
Les Howkins, Chairman of BIGGA and member of the Trailblazer Technical Group added, 'Reaching this point in the process is down to the hard work and dedication of David Golding and the many industry professionals that have worked with the GTC over the last year or so on this Trailblazer Apprenticeship scheme.
BIGGA firmly believes that the new Apprenticeship will improve the career path for future Greenkeepers and the future of Greenkeeping as a profession. With the development of training, education and assessments I am sure any apprentice completing this scheme will not only be well placed for a life long career in greenkeeping and golf course management but they will be a much valued member of any greenkeeping team either here in England, other parts of the UK or abroad. This scheme will offer an opportunity to gain meaningful qualifications at the same time as learning life skills without the associated student debt.'