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Level 2 Sports Turf Operative Standard

About the course

A Sports Turf Operative may also be referred to as a Groundsperson and in some cases a Grounds Maintenance Operative linked to a sporting facility. This occupation exists to ensure that public and private sports facilities are available for use by the public and ensures facilities are available to support the Government policy of increasing physical activity.A sports turf operative is responsible for the maintenance, renovation and overall appearance of one or more sports turf surfaces in accordance with the needs of the particular sport. It is their job to maintain an appropriate quality playing surface which reflects the carrying capacity of that surface to ensure that a sustainable playing surface is provided.

The career as a Sports Turf operative can be quite varied, potentially working across a wide range of different sports and venues, including athletics, bowls, cricket, croquet, football, hockey, horse racing, ruby league and union, tennis and ranging from general park type sports surfaces to first class stadiums. Working in the outdoor environment is a healthy and therapeutic activity, which contributes to the wellbeing of employees as well as users of sports surfaces. With the vast range of natural or artificial turf pitches available, throughout the UK and worldwide, now is an excellent time to join this well established and dynamic profession.

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Course modules

Combined Competence and Knowledge Qualification

Skills, Knowledge & Behaviours

An apprentice will be required to undertake & have an understanding of a number of different core skills, knowledge & behaviours to complete this apprenticeship. Please see factsheet for more information.

Functional Skills

Functional Skills

  • Level 1 Mathematics
  • Level 1 English

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

A potential apprentice:

Must be aged 16 or over & have officially left school.

Must be employed (NOT self-employed) in the relevant occupational sector, working a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Must have the ability to achieve Functional Skills Level 1 in maths & English. (All candidates will be asked to complete an online functional skills assessment regardless of previous qualifications.*

An individual can only undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, if this allows the individual to acquire substantive new skills and the content of the training is materially different from any prior training or a previous apprenticeship.

Must have the right to work in England & spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship.

Must be a citizen of a country with in the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK AND have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning.

*Typically potential apprentices would have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s at grades A-D (9 – 3 in the new grading system), including English, maths & science, or other equivalent vocational qualifications. Employers who recruit an apprentice without these qualifications will have to ensure they achieve level 1 in English & maths as part of the apprenticeship. Those who have achieved level 1 or who come out as ‘working at Level 1’ on the functional skills assessment we ask them to do, will have to work towards level 2.

A potential apprentice:

Must be aged 16 or over & have officially left school.

Must be employed (NOT self-employed) in the relevant occupational sector, working a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Must have the ability to achieve Functional Skills Level 1 in maths & English. (All candidates will be asked to complete an online functional skills assessment regardless of previous qualifications.*

An individual can only undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, if this allows the individual to acquire substantive new skills and the content of the training is materially different from any prior training or a previous apprenticeship.

Must have the right to work in England & spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship.

Must be a citizen of a country with in the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK AND have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning.

*Typically potential apprentices would have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s at grades A-D (9 – 3 in the new grading system), including English, maths & science, or other equivalent vocational qualifications. Employers who recruit an apprentice without these qualifications will have to ensure they achieve level 1 in English & maths as part of the apprenticeship. Those who have achieved level 1 or who come out as ‘working at Level 1’ on the functional skills assessment we ask them to do, will have to work towards level 2.

Learning and assessment

Theory work & learning materials delivered online with photographic, video & audio evidence being collected through the Onefile E-Portfolio platform.

The employer will have access to their apprentices Onefile E-Portfolio so they can monitor progress & work that has been set by the tutor.

The qualification is made up of a number of mandatory units designed to have maximum relevance to the job & integrate with day to day responsibilities.

An employer must allow an apprentice 20% of their working week to undertake work required to complete their apprenticeship (this is a legal requirement) & will include any college attendance required.

There will be an end point assessment, conducted by an independent assessor.

All components must be passed for the apprentice to meet the apprenticeship standard & these will include:

A written and online test which will assess knowledge and behaviours and will be assessed by an independent assessment organisation. This will be graded as Fail/Pass/Merit/Distinction weighted by 40%.

A practical assessment assessing skills, behaviours and knowledge. This will be assessed by an independent assessment organisation. This will be graded Fail/Pass/Merit/Distinction weighted by 60%.

There will be 3 levels of achievement: Pass, Merit & Distinction

Progression

Apprentices successfully completing the Level 2 Apprenticeship have opportunities to progress within the industry by continuing onto the Level 3 Apprenticeship or other Further Education courses.

Careers

Typical jobs apprentices will be able to progress onto on completion of this Apprenticeship will depend on the qualifications and experience gained, but could include: Grounds staff within football, rugby, cricket, tennis & other sporting venues.

Sportsturf studies

There are fantastic opportunities both in the UK and overseas for people who are trained and qualified in sportsturf. Careers exist at all levels, from assistant groundspersons and greenkeepers to managers of international sports facilities such as Premier League Football Clubs and the major elite Golf Courses. Our courses will equip you with the skills that are necessary to build, maintain and manage quality turf surfaces to a high standard.

Students learn the science behind how grasses grow, as well as soils, drainage and a wide range of maintenance practices. You will gain an understanding of the demands of sport and what players need or expect from turf surfaces. You will be taught how to provide these conditions all year round and in all weather conditions.

A solid reputation

Myerscough College enjoys a fantastic reputation across the UK and Europe as one of the leading providers of sportsturf education. Ex-students from the programmes can be found at some of the top sporting venues across the country including Wimbledon, the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and St Andrews.

Excellent Facilities

Myerscough benefits from superb sportsturf facilities including a nine-hole golf course, fully automated irrigation systems with various controllers and fittings, turfgrass research laboratory and more. The department has also recently had a brand new turfgrass unit built, offering specialist workshops, classrooms and research facilities.

A World of Opportunity

There are fantastic opportunities throughout the world for people who have  training and qualifications in sportsturf. All our course equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience to progress to either the next level of education, or a career within the industry.

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Why study an Apprenticeship?

Everything you need to know about taking on an Apprentice with Myerscough College as well as the benefits and support available.

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Download our Apprenticeship Guide

For more information about Apprenticeship at Myerscough College, download our handy guide.

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Myerscough College, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RY

For all enquiries please see our contact page or call 01995 642222.

UK Provider Registration Number: 10004478