The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC), having gained Government accreditation as an Apprenticeship Trailblazer organisation is pleased to announce that a new GOLF GREENKEEPER STANDARD has been approved by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
Small, medium and large golf club employers have led on producing the new Apprenticeship Standard through the GTC with the full support of England Golf and the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).
David Croxton, Proprietor of Cold Ashby Golf Club, Northampton and Board Member of England Golf, is the Chair of the GTC’s apprenticeship reform group and is delighted with the news, believes the support and commitment from employers, Course Managers and many other associated organisations certainly assisted the GTC’s proposal.
David believes the new Golf Greenkeeping apprenticeship standard, which will be available in 2015, will have a graded, high level independent end of programme assessment included to give golf club employers the reassurance that quality education, training and assessment will ensure the apprentice is a great asset to their business.
David Golding, GTC’s Education Director adds, “following the news that the Standard has been approved, we can now focus on developing a suitable education and training programme with a new qualification.”
The apprenticeship reform has firmly put employers in the driving seat and we now have to ensure there is a commitment from all parties – the employer, the training providers and the apprentice.
David Golding continues, “the Government wants to see all new apprenticeships to be ladders of opportunity, with many rungs, which anybody can climb to the top.”
Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “I’m delighted that The Greenkeepers Training Committee has developed a new apprenticeship standard in Golf Greenkeeping.
“Since 2010 there have been 1.8 million apprenticeship starts and The Greenkeepers Training Committee are leading by example in the development and delivery of high quality apprenticeships that give people the chance of successful careers and help businesses get the skills they need to grow.”
David adds, “There will be Government support funding for apprenticeships, however there will also have to be a financial commitment from employers. This is all designed to ensure there is an engagement from all involved in delivering a successful apprenticeship programme.”
The GTC has a technical working group developing the new education and training programme to align to the new Standard. The group has representatives from employers, England Golf, BIGGA, Awarding Body, Centres and Training Providers who are all totally committed to ensuring the new apprenticeship produces highly competent greenkeepers.
The new Golf Greenkeeping Standard can be viewed on the GTC website: www.the-gtc.co.uk