Advanced Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Level 3
Course Details
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Department
Horticulture -
Qualification
Level 3 -
Length
2 Years -
Location(s)
York
Course at a glance
An apprenticeship is a job with training. The job must have a productive purpose and should provide the apprentice with the opportunity to embed and consolidate the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for their immediate job and future career.
Entry Requirements
GCSEs
L3 Apprenticeship Standards require the Apprentice to have prior experience in the Sector and be working in a role with sufficient responsibility to enable them to demonstrate all of the Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours required.
You will have already achieved L1 (as a minimum) & L2 Maths & English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (or old GCSE Grade C) or above. Where applicants do not already hold L2 Maths & English, they must demonstrate the ability to achieve these prior to enrolment.
Cost for students aged Under 19
Free
For students over the age of 19 please contact us
Course summary
The greenkeeping profession is highly skilled and training takes many years. The opportunities available are life-changing and greenkeepers can find themselves travelling the world, helping out at golf’s most prestigious events and coming face to face with top golfers. This apprenticeship is the ideal way to progress your career in the industry.
The Advanced Golf Greenkeeper encompasses various job titles and technical specialisms. The apprenticeship is designed to provide the greenkeeper with the skills and knowledge to operate at an advanced level where supervisory and/or specialist technical and agronomic skills are required. Upon completion, the advanced greenkeeper will have the necessary skills to supervise the greenkeeping team and the maintenance of the golf course, in the absence of the Head Greenkeeper/Golf Course Manager, and will assist in the planning, supervision and implementation of the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course in line with the employer’s requirements.
The career as a Golf Greenkeeper can take you wherever the game of golf is played. Working outdoors in a healthy environment and as new countries are embracing the sport and more golf courses are being built, there is no better time to consider joining this great profession.
Askham Bryan College is proud to be a GTC Approved Training Provider. The Greenkeepers Training Committee (the GTC) is the independent organisation representing British golf club employers and greenkeepers.
Upon completion of this standard, the apprentice will be eligible to join BIGGA as a full member and become a BIGGA Accredited Greenkeeper.
There is future progression to the Level 5 Golf Course Manager apprenticeship where they have sufficient responsibility within their job role.
Key Information
Through your daily work with your employer and your training sessions with the college, you will learn the requirements of the role; an Advanced Golf Greenkeeper must be able to:
- Report on the condition of the golf course to the Golf Course Manager and employer.
- Allocate work and supervise the greenkeeping team in accordance with agreed maintenance plans.
- Supervise the preparation of the golf course in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
- Survey, collect, record and interpret data on the golf course including soil and water analysis.
- Promote good environmental practice on the golf course.
- Evaluate, plan and prepare and set out sites for renovation on the golf course and the clubhouse surrounds.
- Supervise, plan maintenance, construction, repair and renovation projects on the golf course and clubhouse surrounds.
- Estimate resource requirements and programme turf maintenance work on the golf course, in accordance with the course policy document.
- Prepare, establish and maintain golf course playing surfaces.
- Supervise and carry out the preparation, maintenance and storage of machines for use.
- Supervise and undertake the operation, maintenance and servicing of irrigation and drainage systems.
- Plan and supervise the control of weeds, pests and diseases on the golf course.
- Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self, team, others on the golf course and within the maintenance facility.
- Carry out risk assessments on the golf course and maintenance facility.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the maintenance budgets.
- Communicate information to greenkeepers, management and golfers, utilising formal and informal methods.
- Supervise meetings and brief of the greenkeeping team.
- Assist with the training and mentoring of the greenkeeping team.
- Use information technology to assist with effective communication and record keeping.
- Manage their own Continuing Professional Development.
You will also have to achieve the following qualifications:
- Level 2 Awards in Safe Use of Pesticides
On successful completion of the training period, you will move through End Point Assessment Gateway and be in a position to undertake the assessments required in order to achieve your apprenticeship.
The End Point Assessment will only start once the employer is satisfied that you are consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard, the pre-requisite gateway requirements have been met and that they can be evidenced to an End Point Assessment Organisation.
The End Point Assessor will be appointed by the EPAO and will be entirely independent to the college.
For this apprenticeship the End Point Assessment will include:
- Knowledge exam, usually taken at college
- Practical assessment in your workplace
- Professional discussion/ course walk in your workplace
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 maximum duration for this apprenticeship training period is 24 months, with up to a further 6 months to undertake the End Point Assessment.
This could be reduced where an apprentice holds previous experience.
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria.
L3 Apprenticeship Standards require the Apprentice to have prior experience in the Sector and be working in a role with sufficient responsibility to enable them to demonstrate all of the Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours required.
You will have already achieved L1 (as a minimum) & L2 Maths & English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (or old GCSE Grade C) or above. Where applicants do not already hold L2 Maths & English, they must demonstrate the ability to achieve these prior to enrolment.
Employers pay for apprenticeship training, where fees are applicable. We will discuss this with your employer when we complete a set-up with them.
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, Student Moodle, and access to wider college student support services where required.
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.
Employer involvement
Your employer must enable you to spend a minimum of 20% of your usual work hours undertaking off-job learning. This is defined as learning which 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.
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 End Point Assessment. They may be required to provide further supporting evidence/endorsements about your performance, which form part of the End Point Assessment.
Further details of the End Point Assessment will be made available to you during your induction
College input
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.
How to apply
Applications should be made using the college application form or via the college website.
This form can be found at: https://www.askham-bryan.ac.uk/application/register.
Upon receipt of your application you will have an interview with the Course Manager
Further information
Further information about the Standard is available at:
Advanced golf greenkeeper / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Further information about the industry is available at:
- The Greenkeepers Training Committee|GTC|Home (the-gtc.co.uk)
- The British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association | BIGGA | BIGGA
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.
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