Golf Course Manager Apprenticeship Level 5
Course Details
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Department
Apprenticeships -
Qualification
Level 5 -
Length
2 Years -
Location(s)
York
Course at a glance
A Golf Course Manager, (sometimes employers prefer to title the job Head Greenkeeper) is required to have excellent management skills as well as a high level of technical, agronomic and mechanical knowledge and skills.
Entry Requirements
GCSEs
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria.
This apprenticeship requires the apprentice to have significant prior experience in the sector and be in a role with sufficient responsibility to enable them to demonstrate achievement of all the Knowledge and Skills required. They typically may hold a Level 3 qualification in Greenkeeping or equivalent.
Apprentices should have Level 2 Maths and English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (old GCSE Grade C) or above. Where apprentices do not hold these qualifications they must demonstrate the ability to achieve these.
Cost for students aged Under 19
Free
for students over the age of 19 please contact us
A Golf Course Manager is responsible for the management of the golf course, resources and staff, on behalf of their employer. They plan and implement maintenance schedules for the golf course and equipment and are responsible for the allocation of work, recruitment of staff to the greenkeeping team and will implement human resource polices within their team.
They will implement strategic and budgetary plans. It is their job to oversee the production of quality playing surface and ensure the course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience for golfers.
Course summary
The course is split between face to face delivery at Askham Bryan College’s York Campus, and your own workplace, the Golf Course Manager’s role can take you wherever the game of is played, from working on a small 9-hole golf course to large internationally renowned facilities, including Championship courses.
Level 5 Golf Course Manager is equivalent to a foundation degree level at a university. This method of study does require an employer, and it is recommended that you work 30+ hours per week, to be able to effectively develop knowledge, skills and behaviour as well as gather sufficient evidence from the workplace.
This standard is recognised by the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the Professional Body for Greenkeepers. At the start of the apprenticeship the apprentice will be registered with BIGGA. Upon completion of this standard the apprentice will be eligible to become a full member of BIGGA and gain BIGGA Accreditation.
Job opportunities will also be enhanced for those apprentices who have completed the programme with promotion to more senior positions within a golf club facility, such as Golf Club Manager, Estates Manager or Director of Golf or a management position in another sector.
Key Information
Through your daily work with your employer and your training sessions with the college, you will learn the requirements of the Level 5 Golf Course Manager Apprenticeship. Although, where you can evident significant knowledge in the below prior to starting the course, you will not need to duplicate work.
- The advanced aspects of soil and plant biology in order to produce sustainable playing surfaces.
- How to plan, manage and review maintenance, improvement and renovation programmes for the golf course making the optimum use of resources available.
- The importance of maintaining quality standards through the collection and evaluation of data.
- How to plan, manage and construct golf course features.
- The environmental and ecological best practice to maintain a sustainable golf course and the impact of current legislation.
- How to design, install and manage drainage and irrigation systems and the importance of water management on the golf course.
- How to plan, manage and review machinery and equipment maintenance programmes.
- How to develop and review a tactical and strategic business management plan, in line with the Golf Course Policy document.
For this apprenticeship the assessment will include:
- Multiple Choice Online Exam
- Course Walk and Professional Discussion, evidencing work complete over 24 months on programme
- Presentation about your course and staff
Your apprenticeship will be graded: Fail, Pass, Merit or Distinction.
The duration of the apprenticeship is based on a skills analysis and the development opportunities within the business.
The duration for this apprenticeship training period is likely to be 24 months, with up to a further 6 months to undertake the End point Assessment.
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria for the roles, but it is likely you are a deputy head greenkeeper or head greenkeeper. You need a base understanding of the golf course and sports turf systems such as soil, irrigation and ecological constraints.
Most candidates will have achieved grade C or above in English and Maths at GCSE level prior to commencement of their apprenticeship. However, should a candidate not have reached this level, employers will have to ensure they achieve Level 2 in English and maths. Adaptations for 19+ learners without English and Maths GCSE’s can be discussed upon enquiry.
Employers pay for apprenticeship training from their Growth and Skills Levy where applicable. Those who do not pay the Levy, will need to pay 5% towards the training cost (Maximum of £850). For employers, who employ an apprentice on this programme, before their 19th birthday or before 25th if they’ve been in care or have EHCP, the employer will qualify for a £1000 incentive (payable in 2x £500 payments).
The fees charged for the apprenticeship include any awarding body registration costs, all on-programme teaching, assessment and support delivered by the college, support materials, access to college facilities such as the Learning Resource Centre, OneFile, Enrolment, Student Moodle, and access to wider college student support services where required. There may be additional costs to the employer, should there be any need to re sit assessments at the end of their programme.
Employers must pay apprentices at least the minimum rate set out by current National Minimum Wage Legislation. This includes payment for all off-job learning and any associated costs such as travel and accommodation.
Click here to find more information about the National Minimum Wage.
Further Information
Your employer must enable you to complete assessments and further training in the workplace, to meet the minimum number of hours outlined in the original agreement which are discussed upon enquiry. It is recommended that an average of around 6 hours per week is suffice. This is defined as Off The Job (OTJ) learning. OTJ is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. This can include training that is delivered at your normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of your normal working duties and must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard. All of this will be discussed with employer and apprentice upon enquiry.
Off-job learning could include the following:
• Teaching of theory such as lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning or manufacturer training
• Practical training such as shadowing experienced staff or mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions
• Study support and time spent writing assessments/assignments
Your employer must commit to supporting you in the workplace, participating in progress review meetings, providing use of ICT facilities so you can access your e-portfolio and agreeing/ensuring your readiness for the Apprenticeship Assessment. They may be required to provide further supporting evidence/endorsements about your performance, which form part of the Apprenticeship Assessments.
Further details of the Apprenticeship Assessments will be made available to you during your induction.
We will support you through regular Apprenticeship Progress Review meetings with you and your manager, provide well planned vocational training and theory delivery by block release model and support your theory learning in the workplace with a range of learning materials.
This programme is delivered at our York Campus on block-release.
Applications should be made using the register your interest
Further information about the Standard is available at:
Golf course manager / Skills England
Or, for more information, contact the Apprenticeship Admin team on:
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York Campus
York is one of the College's two residential campuses and is located just four miles from York city centre. At York we offer a full range of subject areas and levels including Apprenticeships, Level 1-3 Diplomas, Foundation, Top Up and BSc Honours Degrees.
