How we work
The Key Role and Responsibilities of the GTC
The GTC represents the golf club employers and greenkeepers through a Board of Directors from the English, Scottish & Welsh Golf Unions and BIGGA to ensure:
1. The sector has a range of nationally approved qualifications ranging from basic vocational (work-based) to management and degree level.
e.g. N/SVQ’s, ANC, HNC/D, Foundation Degree, B.Sc, M.Sc, Certificates of Competence.
It is the GTC’s responsibility to ensure all of the qualifications are relevant to the sector and attendance at meetings where reviews and re-accreditation are discussed ensures this.
2. The sector has a nationally approved apprenticeship programme.
The apprenticeship programme has been developed to ensure learners have both the occupational skills to maintain a golf course but also the key skills of communication, numeracy and literacy.
The GTC is involved in the development and review of the apprenticeship for the sector.
3. The sector has a network of Approved Training Providers (mainly Further Education colleges).
The GTC works closely with the Lantra Sector Skills Council and Awarding Bodies (NPTC & SQA) to monitor and maintain an approved list of training providers. The GTC also visits the Approved Training Providers as part of its own quality assurance monitoring work. This work includes ensuring employers and learners receive the best possible service from approved providers through various delivery methods for learning e.g. part-time, full-time, distance learning and more recently on-line.
4. The sector encourages work-based training through training Course Managers/Head Greenkeepers & Deputies to become qualified trainers and assessors.
This ongoing training programme has now produced in excess of 1200 qualified assessors in Britain.
5. The sector has a training manual and learning materials available to compliment the qualifications.
The GTC has developed and updated a training manual linked to the craft level qualification & apprenticeship scheme. This manual has been translated into French and German.
The GTC has produced a nationally recognised set of learning materials to compliment vocational qualifications Levels 2 and 3.
These materials are not only used by the GTC Approved Training Providers but are also available to purchase in either hard copy or CD Rom format.
The GTC has a current objective to make these materials accessible through an on-line format.
6. The sector has up to date career literature and CD Rom information for distribution to schools, career centres, golf clubs and individuals.
A highly acclaimed career CD Rom and literature pack is available through the GTC.
7. The GTC maintains a website, newsletter and circulates press releases to continually raise the awareness of best practice and principles in greenkeeper training.
The GTC maintains a website and produces a quarterly newsletter which is circulated to all British golf clubs, training providers and assessors. Press releases are produced and widely circulated to the golf and turf press.
ALL OF THE ABOVE POINTS ARE CARRIED OUT IN ASSOCIATION WITH AN AGREED BUSINESS PLAN, WHICH IS DEVELOPED BY A TECHNICAL COMMITTEE OF SECTOR EXPERTS, APPROVED BY THE GTC BOARD AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE EDUCATION DIRECTOR.
The above work is funded by a per-capita levy per male member of the 3 British Home Golf Unions and full members of BIGGA, the R&A and the PGA European Tour also financially support the work of the GTC.
