GOLFNEWS
>> GOLF EDUCATION
Algonquin Golf & Ski
Program Opening Doors
In a work world that can offer a lot of confusing options – with an
education system to match, it is not always clear for some young
adults to know where they need to look for guidance. For those
considering a career in the golf or ski industry a burgeoning program
offered by Algonquin College at their Pembroke Campus is proving
a very viable option.
The Golf and Ski Operations Management course is a 60 week
Ontario College Diploma Program that runs in a continuous 16
month stretch. It is the first program of its kind on Canada. The first intake
of students took place last September and according to student Lucas
Smith, who was helping to promote the program at the recent Ottawa-
Gatineau Golf Expo, it has been a enlightening year for all involved.
“I have been very surprised,” said Lucas, a Pembroke native
who had been working in Southeast Asia for the last eight years
before enrolling at Algonquin. “I thought it would be more about
skiing and golf itself but it ended up being about every aspect of working
at a ski resort or a golf course. We cover it all from risk management, to
outdoor operations, to botany and ecology – they cover every aspect
they can think you might possibly need to know about.”
The enthusiastic Smith currently has just eleven classmates but
he says after they did their first co-op placements, word began to
spread about the program and the potential of the well-trained
students. As the group prepares to take part in their second mandated
co-op education semester the number of facilities looking to have the
students as part of their team far outstrips their small numbers. “I
think they recognize what diverse training we are receiving and
since most of the students are a little more mature with some life
experience, we make a nice addition to their teams,” says Smith
who did his ski co-op at Mt. Ste. Anne and is looking forward to his
golf co-op.
The practical component of the course, which also consists of
many field days in addition to the co-op placements, provides a lot of
strength to their course structure, says Smith. “The practical days
really help you put the theory you learn into practice. Right from the
start you get to be hands on and I think that will appeal to people who
don’t like to just learn in the classroom. These are industries where
you can’t be shy, where you need to get right in there and be actively
participating so this program is ideal for people who enjoy that.”
One other aspect of the program that Smith trumpets is the fact that
with a compressed 16 month course time and great demand for the
students in the employment market it is ideal for those who want to
jump into work as quickly as possible. “In a time when the job
market can be tough we are getting technical and practical skills that
employers want – I have no doubt that all of us will be moving into
industry jobs as soon as we get done. The 3 month co-ops are a
great chance for employers to test us out and a chance for us to
show them our abilities.”
20 FGM MAY 2009
flagstick.com
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