Half a million pound boost for training

£500,000 boost to green keeping profession

By Tim Walker

The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) has helped to secure £500,000 in funding for green keeper management training.

The successful bid, to the European Social Fund (ESF), was made in partnership with Plan-It Training, and will be used for the training of 200 course managers and head greenkeepers in the skills vital to maintaining and managing golf courses.

This is the first time that a programme of this nature has been successful in securing ESF funding and it will further raise the profile of education within the green keeping profession. The funding will be matched from within the industry, adding up to a £1m investment in skills and personal development.

The project is the culmination of a ten-year partnership between the GTC and Plan-It Training.

GTC Education Director David Golding said: "This is great news for golf club employers and the many course managers and head greenkeepers out there who want to be better trainers, assessors and get to grips with the latest advances in green keeping technology, including IT. It is also a massive vote of confidence in greenkeeper training by the ESF and will be additional to the ongoing financial support from the GTC."
Lorraine Hatton-Downward of Plan-It Training said: "The overall aim of the programme is to introduce people to the ethos of lifelong learning within the workplace, so that more people can fulfil their potential and
use their skills and knowledge effectively. A flexible, adaptable and well-skilled labour force is vital to all golf employers."

GTC Chairman Gordon Huddy added: "This is excellent news for golf and it is now for golf course employers to take up this opportunity to develop the skills of their course manager/head greenkeeper which, in turn, will benefit both the golf course and the other greenstaff."

For further information contact the GTC on 01347 838640 or Tim Walker Atlas on 01904 610611.