New Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Standard (England)
Golf is big business and makes a contribution of £3.4 billion per annum to the English economy. It is a sport that is enjoyed by men, women, boys and girls of all ages and abilities - it is truly a game for all, a healthy game for life. On behalf of golf club employers from the private and public sectors, golf greenkeepers are the custodians of the golf course environment.
Employers have benefitted greatly over many years from the Government accredited apprenticeship schemes with many of today's Golf Course Managers and Head Greenkeepers commencing their careers as apprentice greenkeepers. The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) represents 1900 golf clubs in England with the full support of England Golf, the Governing Body for golf in England and the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) the Professional Body for Greenkeepers and Golf Course Managers.
The GTC is a Trailblazer organisation and is fully supportive of the apprenticeship reform and looking forward to setting new Standards, at all levels, in association with the major stakeholders in the sector.
A new Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Standard has already been approved and work is ongoing to develop a suitable programme of education, training and assessments to meet the new Standard.
More Standards are under development designed to help employers grow their business and to maintain a career pathway for apprentices to be the global leaders in golf greenkeeping.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "I congratulate the Greenkeepers Training Committee on the part they have played in helping reach
two million apprenticeship starts since 2010. I want more employers to work with organisations like the Greenkeepers Training Committee to start making apprentices a key part of their future. Apprenticeships give young people the chance of a great start to their career and give businesses the skills they need to grow."