Training & Development
New Innovations, Myerscough New Opportunities
New Year, College
BIGGA Past Chairman Tony Smith, with CEO Jim Croxton and new Chairman Chris Sealey cut the ribbon at BTME 2014
As the New Year begins at the same frenetic pace as the last one ended, producing our first article of 2014 provides an opportune time to draw breath and think about what lies ahead, and what resolutions are on top of the to-do list this year.
Balancing growth in provision with quality of delivery remains a core focus of all our
developments. In this article, we reference the innovative developments advancing the quality of provision with the increased opportunities and benefits that workplace training and apprenticeships have to offer.
We profile new staff and new learners, update on College research activity and introduce our exciting new international developments.
BTME 2014 - meeting old friends and new acquaintances
January, as usual, brought the BIGGA British Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), and 2014 appeared to be one of the busiest of recent years. Myerscough College Employer Services Manager, Lee Price, reflects on the week in Harrogate; “It was great to see so many learners of old, to talk to industry and give advice on our range of provision. Back at base, we have been busy working through the enquiries as we further enhance our spread of employers within all aspects of the sportsturf industry.”
“The range of attendees this year was vast and we have picked up firm enquiries from Golf, Football, Cricket, Public Schools, Local Authority, Cricket and other amenity based businesses, both in UK and overseas. For us, BTME really was a great success and we already look forward to next year’s event.”
Tony Smith, BIGGA Past Chairman said: “I can’t stress enough my pride in seeing enthusiastic, knowledgeable and personable young greenkeepers making their way in the industry. When I started greenkeeping, there was little or no formal training available and it was a frustrating time to be a young, ambitious greenkeeper. It’s great to see an
increased emphasis on educating and training young greenkeepers with programmes such as Apprenticeships and the Future Turf Managers’ Initiative. Such schemes really are a terrific way to engage and educate the Head Greenkeepers and Course Managers of the future.”
It was also great to receive a visit from American based Myerscough College Fellow, Mike O’Keeffe, who was at BTME to showcase the benefits of gaining work experience overseas.
For many years, a number of Myerscough students have participated in the Ohio State University exchange programme, working at places including the Augusta National Golf Club, Valhalla, Kentucky, the 5-star Breakers resort in West Palm Beach and the Island Golf School on Hilton Head Island. There are initial costs to enter the programme, as well as living expenses, but these are soon outweighed by the money earned during the internship as well as the life changing and career defining opportunities on offer.
Mike says: “We have been welcoming Myerscough students across to the States for a very long time. As the college has such an excellent reputation, I make a point of coming here every year. Back in Ohio, we deal with
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