Training providers back GTC drive

Training providers back GTC drive for new learning materials

By Geoff Fox

A DRIVE towards standardising learning materials for greenkeepers is proving a hit with training providers across the UK and Ireland.

The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) has developed a comprehensive learning resources pack which will be used by lecturers as the basis for the Sports Turf (Greenkeeping) National Occupational Standards - NVQs and SVQs Levels 2 and 3.

The Awarding Bodies, City and Guilds and the Scottish Qualifications Authority have already given their backing to the GTC initiative, which is intended to ensure employers have greater confidence that their greenkeeping staff are learning exactly what they really need to know.

David Golding, GTC Education Director, said: "The aim has been to develop standard learning materials based on best practice and principles for golf course maintenance and it already has the backing of the industry's training providers. The future success of our industry depends upon strengthening partnerships between the industry and training providers to ensure staff have the appropriate skills and knowledge to move individual businesses forward."

As part of the changes, the GTC is raising awareness of A1, the new assessor qualification, and continuing it's training programme to ensure course managers or head greenkeepers can act as assessors in the workplace.

Mr Golding added: "We have been delighted with the reaction we have had to the resource pack from the various training providers and hope it continues to provide them with all the information they will need to educate greenkeepers. Greenkeeping students at both N/SVQ Levels 2 & 3 will be reassured by these national standard learning materials. Equally, employers have been impressed with the element of consistency which has been added to the already high standard of education on offer, enabling them to see the benefits training can provide for their staff and their business."

Nigel Beckford, lecturer in turf culture at Writtle College in Chelmsford, Essex, said: "When my colleagues saw the pack for the first time they were green with envy. Everything you could possibly need for your course is in there. We're very lucky to have the GTC supporting us in this way. The pack is an invaluable source of information and a fabulous teaching aid. It's clear, well laid out and easily understandable. It is the first move I have seen to standardise the underpinning knowledge learning materials for the NVQ's in Sports Turf nationally, which is how we should be progressing. The pack is very easy to work from and will save lecturers like myself a great deal of time. It will complement the assessment of skills to be carried out in the work place, and all in all it is an excellent initiative by the GTC"

For further information contact David Golding on 01347 838640 or email golf@the-gtc.co.uk.