About the course
This occupation is found in a wide range of relevant venues, for example, athletics, bowls, cricket, croquet, football, golf, hockey, equestrian events, rugby league and union, and tennis. Venues include public parks, sports clubs, schools, first class stadia, training facilities and golf courses including links, parkland and heathland. Facilities can range in size and stature, from international stadia and championship golf courses that host big events through to smaller, local venues serving the local community.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure that public and private sports turf surfaces (including hybrid but not fully artificial surfaces) meet the requirements of the sport and are available for use at all levels from amateur to professional sport. They supervise the staff and the maintenance of the sports turf surfaces. They supervise the planning, maintenance, care, and overall appearance of surfaces in line with the employer�s requirements and the requirements of the sport�s governing body. They may lead, support and supervise renovation and associated projects and typically have responsibility for maintaining wider facilities.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. They might typically report to a manager, deputy manager, general manager, owner or a committee. On a daily basis, they may interact with visitors, the general public, players, coaching staff, and other turf management/greenkeeping colleagues. They may also be required to liaise with suppliers and delivery personnel.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring that the playing surfaces are suitably prepared. They will also have responsibilities across the wider facility. They supervise staff or volunteers and are responsible for ensuring that the playing surface is suitably prepared and maintained in line with the rules of the relevant sport. They will have responsibility for the safe use and maintenance of irrigation, drainage, equipment, and machinery used by operatives. They must adhere to relevant health and safety and environmental legislation and present a professional image. They would not necessarily have direct responsibility for budget control but would be expected to advise their manager and colleagues on the correct use and deployment of resources
Entry requirements & additional information
An applicant must have attained a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade A-C (9-4) including maths and English, or a vocational level 2, plus GCSE grade A-C (9-4) in both maths and English. N.B. English & maths Functional Skills Level 2 will be accepted as an alternative to GCSEs. All potential Apprentices will be asked to complete an online functional skills assessment regardless of previous qualifications. Apprentices who begin their apprenticeship training when aged 19+ will no longer be subject to the mandatory requirement to study towards and achieve English and Maths. However English and Maths will still be delivered as an embedded part of the apprenticeship. For apprentices aged 19+, the apprentice or their employer can still choose for the apprentice to study towards and achieve English and Maths qualification. 'The college advises learners to keep studying English and maths to enhance their career prospects and facilitate progression to higher-level qualifications'. The government will continue to fund those apprentices that wish to study towards an English and maths qualification. Exceptional entries will be considered for all Apprenticeships at the discretion of the college based on experience, successful interview and outcomes of Initial and Diagnostic assessments for English and Maths to establish current levels of ability.
The End Point Assessment (EPA) gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
for the project, presentation and questions, the project's title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO and a project summary submitted
for the professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence and facility walk, you must submit a portfolio of evidence
passed any other qualifications listed in the occupational standard
For the advanced sports turf technician, the qualification required is:
Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1) along with either PA2 (Boom Sprayer) OR PA6 (Handheld Applicators) or equivalents shown at https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/resources/R/Recognised_certificates.pdf
Assessment methods
Short and long written test
You will complete a test requiring long and short written answers. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials. �In the the test you can have:
Calculator
The test will have 14 long and short response written questions. You will have 120 minutes to complete it.
Project with report
You will complete a project and write a report. You will be asked to complete a project. The title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO at the gateway. The report should be a maximum of 3000 words (with a 10% tolerance).
You will have 8 weeks to complete the project and submit the report to the EPAO.
You need to prepare and give a presentation to an independent assessor. Your presentation slides and any supporting materials should be submitted at the same time as the project output. The presentation with questions will last at least 30 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 5 questions about the project and presentation.
Professional discussion
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 120 minutes. They will ask you at least 8 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
Progression to Level 5 Course Manager or FdSc in Sportsturf Management.
Coming soon will be the Level 5 Sportsurf Technical Manager Apprenticeship which will be an ideal progression for those in non Golf/Greenkeeping roles.
All apprentices are required to have suitable employment in order to complete the programme. A contract of employment must be in place and apprentices must be paid in line with minimum wage rules. Programme costs are covered by employers through their digital apprenticeship service account.