what we do. Although I hate to use the term, we somehow do need to ‘sex up’ sportsturf and ensure we are appealing, as a profession and as an industry, to those youngsters who would love to make a living from a career involved with sport. In this past year I have run initiatives actively inviting young golfers in to the campus and on to our golf course and facilities.
Despite these efforts we are often disappointed with the lack of interaction and communication across many of the bodies and organisations that directly, and indirectly, complement sportsturf careers. For example, golf club secretaries, junior organisers, educational officers and school career advisors, local clubs, unions and sports facilities have all been lacking in the uptake of our proposals and initiatives. Perhaps most worrying, from an educational perspective, is the determination of schools to retain students as long as possible (linked to government funding) and, in so doing, potentially halt a pupil’s progression in to the vocational qualifications of their choice.
I am amazed and shocked by the apathy
that exists today in schools right across the country when it comes to giving advice on land based industries. Although our profession has come a long way in recent years, schools continue to portray land based industries as areas for low achievers and for “those that can’t really do anything else”. Ironically enough, it was a golf
professional many years ago who pointed me in the direction of a career in
greenkeeping at a time when all I aspired to be was a ‘Tour Pro’! We need to get out there more and start championing the heroes of our industry and holding these people up as shining examples of what can be achieved with a commitment to what is, potentially, the most rewarding of careers. So, what is the solution? At Bridgwater, a significant part of my
role is the marketing and recruitment of students. As a sportsturf department we are constantly focused on ways of innovating and developing our courses at the college to ensure we work closely with industry and support what ‘you’ want from a graduating student. We have a dedicated team that includes our greenkeeper at the college and also a full time work based assessor who has an HND and vast experience of managing top class golf resorts. We are also looking to develop short courses and hold lecture/seminar events. It is my vision to develop a ‘centre of excellence’ within education at the Cannington Centre along with a range of opportunities that will continue to appeal to those within, and outside, of our industry. Most recently I held a taster event for local schools and we managed to attract a number of young kids interested in a career in sportsturf. We will continue to thump home the theme that a love of sport can be the perfect way in to a career of caring for some of our major sporting venues.
I believe we have a fantastic industry to sell to young people and all we need to
keep doing is getting our message out there and competing alongside other professions. We continue to develop initiatives within our local golf and sports clubs, inviting youngsters in to the college to look at what we offer as an industry. We work closely with industry bodies and supporting organisations to develop relevant curriculums and modes of studies that you, as employees, require. Above all else, I believe it is imperative for our profile to be raised and we must move away from preaching to the converted. Those of us with a passion and understanding of our industry know how fantastic it is, we know how much more professional we are and we know of the endless opportunities and amazing experiences that are out there. In order to turn the current trend of an ageing profession around we have to be proactive and continue to develop relationships with high profile people and organisations. One thing I have been amazed by is the support within the industry for education.
But what we need to do is come out of the comfort zone and step in to the schools, colleges and sports clubs and present this exciting and
dynamic face of our industry to those who just don't have a clue ... and you would be amazed how many there are out there!
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www.cleveland-land-services.co.uk tel: 01642 488328 15
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