Advanced Sports Turf Technician

An advanced sports turf technician is found in a wide range of relevant venues, for example, athletics, bowls, cricket, croquet, football, golf, hockey, equestrian events, rugby league and union, and tennis. Venues include public parks, sports clubs, schools, first class stadia, training facilities and golf courses including links, parkland and heathland. Facilities can range in size and stature, from international stadia and championship golf courses that host big events through to smaller, local venues serving the local community. 

The apprenticeship is designed to provide technicians with the skills knowledge and behaviours to ensure that public and private sports turf surfaces (including hybrid but not fully artificial surfaces) meet the requirements of the sport and are available for use at all levels from amateur to professional sport. In their daily work, a technician interacts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. They might typically report to a manager, deputy manager, general manager, owner or a committee. On a daily basis, they may interact with visitors, the general public, players, coaching staff, and other turf management/greenkeeping colleagues. They may also be required to liaise with suppliers and delivery personnel.

Successful completion of the apprenticeship provides accreditation to British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) for those working in the golf industry.

What apprentices will learn;

• Supervise and undertake the preparation and maintenance of the playing surface in accordance with governing bodies requirements, rules and regulations.
• Evaluate performance and agronomic data of playing surfaces (e.g. weather data, soil conditions, performance quality standard). Recommends improvements to turf health and playing surface conditions.
• Monitor and control threats to turf health and apply sustainable integrated pest management practices (encompassing weeds, pests, and diseases).
• Supervise and implement processes, procedures and strategies for the effective usage of irrigation and drainage systems to maximise sports turf health and surface performance.
• Prepare sports turf machinery and supervise maintenance programmes for equipment and machinery.
• Agree the specification and implement resource and budget requirements for sports turf projects.
• Supervise and mentor operatives and report on staff performance.
• Supervise the adoption of sustainable and environmentally friendly working practices.
• Ensure a safe working environment and the adoption of legal working practices including the reviewing of risk assessments.
• Maintain own personal development by keeping up to date with current industry practices.
• Communicate with stakeholders on the factors affecting the condition of the sports turf and manage expectations.
• Plan, prepare for and supervise the construction or renovation of the sports turf facilities.
• For more information on the skills, knowledge and behaviours associated and learnt on this apprenticeship, please download the file attached to this link: Advanced Sports Turf Technician Level 3

Qualifications Awarded

• Apprenticeship Certificate
• Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1)
• Level 2 Award in Ground Crop Sprayer - Hydraulic Nozzle (PA2) or Level 2 Award in Knapsack Sprayer - Hydraulic Nozzle (PA6A)
• Level 2 in maths and English Functional Skills (if applicable)

The entry requirements for all Level 3 programmes, will require either: 

• GCSE 3 or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• GCSE D or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• Level1 Functional Skills English and Maths (or equivalent qualification|) at this level or Level 2

Should you not meet the entry requirements for English and Maths, please get in contact with us. We are aware that there are many factors that may have affected your previous education and grades, so will consider these in support of the application on an individual basis.

In addition to your prior English and Maths qualifications, you will complete an initial assessment for English and Maths as part of your pre-boarding session in college. This assessment will give us a current working level grade and will indicate which level Functional Skills you will be enrolled on if you have not got a GCSE 4/C or above in English and Maths. We may contact you to discuss this grade if we have any concerns.

If you have a grade 4/C or above in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will not be required to attend Functional Skills English and/or Maths sessions as part of your Apprenticeship.

Please note: You will be required to produce your GCSE certificates BEFORE you start your course to be exempt from attending Functional Skills English and Maths sessions.

To enrol onto an apprenticeship programme you need to be employed with a contract of employment. If you have an employer lined up or are already employed please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.

You must be in a role that will allow you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship. Additionally, apprentices must have a working level of maths and English that will allow successful achievement of level 1 functional skill prior to the end point assessment.

If you do not currently have an employer please visit the main Apprenticeships page for guidance on how to find and apply for an apprenticeship opportunity or register for our Talent Bank service.

If you are an employer and would like to recruit or enrol an existing employee onto an apprenticeship please contact our Business Services team on  01273 892127 or via email.