|
National Certificate in Sports and Amenity Turf Maintenance
Join Now
Qualification process
Introduction
This qualification has evolved over a period of time. This new award has been developed in conjunction with NPTC and City and Guilds.
The award is suitable for any person who maintains turf whether it on a professional sports facility or amenity turf in a public area. The award can be directly linked to the current vocational standards as identified in the Qualification handbook. The structure of the qualification is such that candidates will have CPD documentation that shows clearly the sports option(s) that have been achieved. The award incorporates the Performance Quality Standards for sports surfaces introduced recently by the Institute of Groundsmanship. The qualification provides a career pathway to level 3.
General
The qualification is made up of six compulsory units and eight optional units, of which at least one optional unit must be completed to achieve the award.
Core Units
Unit 201 Plant Growth in relation to Sports and Amenity Turf
Unit 202 Principles of Machinery (Sports and Amenity Turf)
Unit 203 Weeds, Pests, Diseases and Disorders of Sports and Amenity Turf
Unit 204 Health and Safety in the Sports and Amenity Turf Industry
Unit 205 Operation and Maintenance of Sports and Amenity Turf Equipment
Unit 206 Principles of Sports and Amenity Turf
Optional Units
Unit 207 Maintenance of Amenity Turf
Unit 208 Maintenance of Sports Turf – Cricket
Unit 209 Maintenance of Sports Turf – Bowling Greens
Unit 210 Maintenance of Sports Turf – Tennis Courts
Unit 211 Maintenance of Sports Turf – Association Football Pitches
Unit 212 Maintenance of Sports Turf – Rugby Pitches
Unit 213 Maintenance of Sports Turf – Golf facilities
Unit 214 Maintenance of Sports Turf – Horseracing facilities
There are also three additional units for candidates of employers who wish these to be added to the main award.
Unit 231 Maintenance and Repair of Non-Turf Sports Surfaces
Unit 232 Amenity Horticulture in the Turf Industry
Unit 233 Tractor Operation and Maintenance
Course design
The Institute of Groundsmanship was very much involved with the development of this award and has since developed a unique system to provide learning for this qualification. All the knowledge required for each unit can be studied online.
Each unit has a stand alone study course which can be accessed by anyone at home with internet facilities. This means that students can study for the award in their own time or time set aside by their employer that is convenient for all. Many ground-staff live and work well away from any land-based college and the opportunity of home study is very inviting.
Course Pre-requirements
Although not essential, students who have achieved the Institute of Groundsmanship National Practical Certificate award or equivalent will be adequately prepared to begin studies for this award. Students should be actively employed in the turf maintenance industry or have been granted access to practical facilities for training purposes. It is not the responsibility of the Institute of Groundsmanship to provide practical facilities but it will do everything possible to assist in the provision when required.
Course application
Students can apply for the course at any time but will slot into a timetable that will extend over a twelve month period to achieve the award. Students must apply by completing the Application Form NCA or alternatively using the online facility.
Course mapping
Candidate recruitment can take place through the year but students will slot into one of four fixed routes. Starting time for the course will be week1, week 10, week 19 and week 31. The four groups can be administered separately in the MOODLE settings so that they will only have access to current learning packs. Assuming a candidate will be able to study for 12 hours per week over the academic year the course will take 36 weeks providing a total of 480 contact hours. Add to the 432 hours at least 30 hours of formal assessment to make a total of 462 hours for the award. Students with a degree of experience may find they can complete the course in less learning hours.
Student support
Each student will receive confirmation of application and a notification of starting date linked to the table above. Each student will be allocated a mentor to assist them through the course. It will be the responsibility of the mentor to
-
ensure the student understands the online learning system
-
tracks the progress of the student
-
offers support to the student
-
agree a time and night for each week for communication between mentor and student to take place where necessary
Course assessment
The award is made up of both knowledge and practical assessments. The Institute of Groundsmanship has created partnerships with assessment centres throughout the UK to assist with practical assessments. Quality Assurance will be monitored by Institute of Groundsmanship appointed Verifiers.
There will be a total of five one day assessments, where you will attend the centre nearest to you for practical assessments and an online multi choice questionnaire (GOLA).
Any resist assessments can only be set up after a period of 7 days from the first attempt.
The total fees payable include:-
Access to online qualification
All technical information
Tutor/mentor provided
Assessment Centre fees
Registration and Certification for City & Guilds and GOLA.
Please note that the fees do not cover travelling expenses to the one day assessment days (5 in total throughout the year).
Download an Application form
For further details contact our Training & Education department – 01908 312511 or training@iog.org
|
