Certificated Operator Training at Thorpeness GC
Cutting Edge Training, the independent training division of Ransomes Jacobsen, has successfully delivered a series of operator training courses to the staff at Thorpeness Golf Club on the East Anglian coast.
Course Manager Ian Willett, who is also BIGGA's Regional Chairman said, "Tim Rowan-Robinson, the Managing Director at Thorpeness, is an advocate of continuous professional development for all of the staff here. In-house we are all trained in fire safety, manual handling and first aid, but there are specific areas where the greenkeeping team require dedicated training following the introduction of the PUWER'98 regulations.
"I'm sure that there are many golf clubs out there that are not aware of the impact of PUWER'98. However, that's been the driver for all five of us to complete NPTC certificated training relating to the operation of mowers, tractors and ATVs. This has been delivered by Cutting Edge Training and we now fully comply with the latest regulations affecting our industry. This has been so successful that we are now looking at technical training for routine maintenance and minor repairs. "
Will Carr, one of the Cutting Edge trainers, who returned to Thorpeness recently to hand over the certificates added, "We launched the new Cutting Edge Training programme for operators of turf maintenance equipment at BTME. It is industry recognised and accredited and available to ALL operators, irrespective of the manufacturer or type of machinery being used.
"Operator training has become an important issue in our industry since the advent of PUWER '98 (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations). These regulations stipulate that any person operating self propelled equipment must be adequately trained in its safe operation.
"That's why we've worked closely with industry experts to understand and adapt our training to meet the needs and requirements set out by Government and HSE. We have aligned it with independent assessments provided by the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) to promote competence and professionalism of the land-based and related industries by the encouragement of continuous learning and the recognition of skill."