Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
This popular term is much used however often neglected when it comes to formally recording what an individual has actually done to update himself or herself to keep their knowledge and skills current.
Attendance at exhibitions, subscriptions to journals and membership to professional bodies all count but let us just have a closer look at some of the opportunities for greenkeepers CPD:
Conferences, exhibitions, seminars and workshops, the key here is to choose those events, which will bring most benefit to you personally, the employer and colleagues. It could even be that a colleague would benefit most by attending some of these events, as it is important that everybody gains some CPD at regular intervals.
In the greenkeeping sector there are always events advertised both locally and nationally and you cannot possibly attend them all.
Exhibitions where a range of products and machinery are there for all to view and at least to find out what is the most up to date available even though you might not be able to afford it in this years budget! At least you have updated yourself on what is out there on the market.
More often than not, exhibitions have education programmes attached to them, when invited speakers share their knowledge and experiences with delegates, which can be recorded as CPD.
The most obvious CPD is when you are registered on a formal training course, qualification or apprenticeship scheme but I would encourage everybody to also look at the bite-size CPD events.
Employers especially need to be aware of the minimum legislative requirements and whilst in the main the industry has moved forward in terms of improved working conditions for employees we still hear of horror stories regarding maintenance facilities.
Health & Safety at all levels are an integral part of all sports turf qualifications and with NPTC Certificates of Competence available through the GTC Approved Training Provider network we really encourage employers and employees to invest in these courses.
There are also specialist H&S advisors awaiting your call to assist and a little investment in training may save a hefty fine.
The new GTC-HSE Guidelines are available on our website with a link to the BIGGA-GCMA Safety Management System which has all the information and links available to ensure you and your employer/employees are compliant.
The National Register of Sprayer Operators (NSTS),the Safe Use of Pesticides (PA 1,2 & 6 etc) are excellent examples of CPD administered by the NPTC visit www.nroso.org.uk or www.nptc.org.uk.
BASIS is a Professional Register for Managers involved in pesticides, pest control and fertiliser applications visit www.basis-reg.com for details of training courses in this specialist area.
The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has a range of short courses including a specific Ecology course www.stri.co.uk
Another established organisation the British Turf Landscape Irrigation Association (BTLIA) has specialised courses visit www.btlia.org.uk. The BTLIA works in partnership with a limited number of GTC Approved Training Providers.
The IOG and of course BIGGA have been the greatest promoters of CPD in the sector and their in-house courses have benefited hundreds of their members with short courses ranging from basic machinery operator use to management training.
The Home Unions of England (EGU), Scotland (SGU) and Wales GUW) have for some years hosted seminars and workshops, all designed to engage golf club employers as well as greenkeepers in the best advice available to improve golf courses. Look out for an autumn series in England and Wales with the SGU looking to arrange more courses in 2008. All of these seminars are developed in association with the GTC and are eligible to CPD accreditation.
The R&A have also become more actively involved in golf course management through the promotion of the best practice website www.bestcourseforgolf.org, hosting seminars and ongoing support to the GTC.
