The Greenkeepers Training Committee has contacted its entire current network of Approved Training Providers, mainly Further Education colleges, inviting them to apply to join a new GTC Quality Assured Scheme.
Following the recent announcement that an agreement has been reached with City & Guilds Land Based Services (formerly NPTC) to offer from 1st September 2010, jointly branded Work Based Diplomas (WBD’s), the GTC is now looking to direct golf club employers and greenkeepers to Centres who have met a criteria designed to ensure quality education and training programmes match the standards within the Work Based Diplomas.
The GTC is currently looking to have a similar agreement with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), where Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ’s) remain and are integral within the popular Apprenticeship Scheme.
David Golding, GTC’s Education Director explains how the GTC in reviewing its old Approved Provider criteria, is determined to ensure its employers and greenkeepers are directed to Centres and Training Providers who have met the GTC Quality Assured criteria.
GTC Quality Assured Centres will be offering the formal qualifications through a variety of delivery options and a new category of GTC Quality Assured Training Providers will offer training courses which will all align to the National Occupational Standards (NOS).
The WBD’s, formerly NVQ’s continue to be the most popular qualifications as they are work based however the GTC also recognises the more Centre based qualifications such as the National Certificates, HNC and Foundation Degree are equally as important to the sector as the work based qualifications.
Greenkeepers Training Committee www.the-gtc.co.uk