Greenkeeper Education

This article first appeared in On Course - Issue 28

There are changes in the way qualifications in the UK are developed and available to the population, not just greenkeepers says David Golding, GTC's Education Director.

Whilst the titles might change slightly in England, Scotland and Wales the principles of credit frameworks and their link to National Occupational Standards (NOS) are the same.

Whilst I know it's another acronym or acronyms to remember the positive is that it brings formal bite size learning a reality rather than the usual full qualification option which for many was either intimidating for some learners or not required as staff development by the employers.

All the UK frameworks will be linked to the European Qualification Framework (EQF) which is where the GTC is involved in developing the greenkeeping Pan-European standards with colleagues from the European Greenkeeping community with the aim of allowing for a more mobile workforce trained and educated to agreed standards with a Skills Passport also on the agenda. 

Liz Pridgeon the Development Manager for Standards and Qualifications at the Lantra Sector Skills Council (SSC) explains a little more about the thinking behind the latest Government to make qualifications more accessible...

Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF)

The QCF is a new way of recognising skills by awarding credits and units, which enables people to gain qualifications at their own pace through flexible routes.The new framework will help present qualifications in a way that is easy to understand and measure. 

Every unit and qualification in the framework will have a credit value where one credit will represent 10 hours to show how much time and effort it takes to complete and a level ranging from 'entry' up to level 8 (high level management) to show how difficult it is.

There will be three sizes of qualifications in the QCF: 

• Awards (between 1 and 12 credits)
• Certificates (between 13 and 36 credits)
• Diplomas (37 credits or more).

The units are currently being developed from the industry job profiles and National Occupational Standards through joint working groups held with employers, awarding bodies and providers.  In August 2008 some units and qualifications will become available.

The GTC are at the very heart of this work for the turf sector and once available both greenkeepers and golf club employers will benefit from this initiative. 

The new framework will benefit you as a business and or employer by:

• Providing more flexibility and choice to meet individual requirements
• Helping you to quickly measure the level and size of achievements of prospective employees
• Make training opportunities and pathways clear - helping employees  and employers
  

At the GTC workshop for its network of Approved Training Providers in June Liz will be updating staff working within Centres including the colleges involved in turf education and it is hoped that all will become familiar with the changes and develop courses to suit the new qualification framework.

The greenkeepers professional body BIGGA is already looking to develop its training programmes. Following Sami Collins recent promotion to BIGGA's Head of Learning and Development she gives On Course the Association's vision of its role within greenkeeper education and where future additional provision will look to meet the demand for short courses.

For many years, evening lectures and outings were organised at a local level and in more recent years, BIGGA's sections and regions have organised seminars and workshops for its members.  At a national and international level the Association's flagship event, Harrogate Week, incorporates an extensive education programme known as 'Continue to Learn' and features speakers and events from all aspects of the industry.  This five-day event is a key feature of Harrogate Week and demonstrates that the education of its members is the number one priority for BIGGA.

The Association has run management courses in many guises, hundreds of today's Course Managers have benefited from the courses arranged by the Association who use only selected tutors who have an appreciation for the specialist training required within the sector.

Although the one and two day management courses will still be available, we're looking to expand our suite of courses to include all subjects within the three industry skill sets namely greenkeeper, golf course supervisor and golf course manager.

With thanks to our Golf and Silver Key Sponsors, BIGGA has a very healthy Learning and Development Fund designated to improving our member's education. The Learning and Development Fund has subsidised hundreds of courses benefiting both members and their golf club employers.

Working closely with the GTC, through membership on the board and also the technical committee, BIGGA is seeking to work in partnership with the Approved Training Provider network and to offer bespoke courses that underpin the range of sports turf qualifications.

Sami adds, the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Frameworks will allow more opportunities for both learners and employers to pick and mix Units of Skills and Knowledge to meet their needs.  It is the role of the providers to ensure courses are available to match the Units and we at BIGGA seek to be at the centre of the provision.

For more information on the BIGGA Golf and Silver Key Sponsor scheme, the training provisions and courses currently on offer visit www.bigga.org.uk or contact Sami or Rachael at BIGGA on sami@bigga.co.uk or rachael@bigga.co.uk or Telephone 01347 833800.