Training & Development
Pitchcare Training Courses offer a packed programme for the New Year
AS I write this on a Sunday afternoon in November, we have already had the first frosts of the winter, and the autumn leaves are still showing off their glorious colours. Nevertheless, it is still hard to believe that 2012 is drawing to a close.
Throughout the year, groundsmen and greenkeepers have experienced very testing conditions. They have needed to draw on all their learning and experience in order to maintain decent playing surfaces, as Mother Nature has bombarded them with all her ammunition and thrown in some very dirty tricks!
The need for adequate training on machinery and equipment, together with an in-depth understanding of turf management processes, has never been more vital if playing surfaces are to be maintained to an acceptable standard.
At Pitchcare, we do all we can to help our members, and indeed anyone who works in the sports turf and land care industries, to access the appropriate training, which will give them the skills to work safely and efficiently and produce quality results, often with limited resources.
During 2012, our monthly PA1/PA6AW Safe Use of Pesticides courses, held at our Allscott HQ, have all been fully subscribed.
We now include, as standard and at no additional charge, the training element which deals with spraying in, or near, a water course. This is essential for those who also take our Lantra approved Stem Injection Treatment course for
the control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Rhododendron - another popular and innovative provision.
For 2013 we will be including regular PA2 (Mounted Sprayers) courses at Allscott, according to demand.
Our Lantra approved 1-day Sports Turf Maintenance courses were also well received during the year, particularly our Spring Cricket Preparations, which were held in the early spring.
If you are thinking of taking this course in 2013, book early! Synthetic Sports Surfaces Maintenance courses also retained their popularity.
Basic Tree Survey & Inspection courses have also been well attended in 2012 and are particularly popular with golf greenkeepers, school groundstaff and local authority teams. We run these at various locations around the UK.
New for 2013 will be regular Chainsaw Maintenance and Operation and Felling Small Trees courses, and we are fortunate to have secured an area of Cannock Chase in Staffordshire where these will take place.
Our Supervisory Essentials suite for Head Groundsmen, Head Greenkeepers and their Deputies - comprising four stand-alone workshops commenced at Alton, Hampshire, in early December and will be repeated in Manchester in January and February. The suite addresses:
• Taking Charge • Getting Better Results
• Enhanced Communication Skills • Problem Solving and Decision Making
Full details are available on our website
www.groundsmantraining.com.
Alongside our public courses, we are pleased to have built up a reputation as the training provider of choice for a number of prestigious sporting establishments, major public schools, local authorities and blue chip companies.
We welcome enquiries for group training from employers and grounds supervisors, and I take a particular personal interest in developing mutually beneficial working relationships with new and established clients.
If your experiences in 2012 have highlighted the need for you to consider updating and consolidating the technical expertise of your grounds team - or even your own skills - I would urge you to contact me as early as possible in the New Year so that we can get your training in place before the start of your busy spring period.
It will be here before you know it!
For more information, or to discuss your particular requirements, please contact Chris Johnson at
chris@pitchcare.com or telephone 01902 440 263.
www.groundsmantraining.co.uk 122 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013
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