Workbased Qualifications
Workbased qualifications, more commonly known as vocational qualifications, indicate that the candidate can do a particular job at a particular level in the workplace. Vocational qualifications awarded in England and Wales are known as National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ’s) and those awarded in Scotland are known as Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ’s).
National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQ’s) are achieved through training and assessment. Assessment is usually carried out through on-the-job observation and questioning. Candidates must produce a portfolio of evidence to show that they are competent to meet the N/SVQ standards. Assessors test the candidates knowledge, understanding and workbased performance to make sure that they can demonstrate competence in the workplace. Assessors ‘sign off’ units when the candidate proves competence to the national occupational standards.
Assessors may be the course manager or a deputy in the workplace or one appointed by an approved Assessment Centre.
Training is provided by a qualified trainer (who may be the course manager) or by a training provider who will also teach the underpinning knowledge required.
Vocational qualifications in greenkeeping are offered at three levels:
N/SVQ Level 2 Sports Turf
This shows that the holder can perform a range of greenkeeping tasks, some of which are complex and not routine, and that the holder is capable of working alone or as part of a team.
Craft Level - N/SVQ Level 2 is within the Apprenticeship framework and the following skills are included: -
- Maintain good standards of health and safety for self and others.
- Mowing (greens/tees/banks/rough/fairways)
- Aerating turf (slitting/scarifying/verticutting)
- Applying top dressing and if and when appropriate fertiliser and pesticides
- Irrigating turf
- Moving tee markers
- Maintaining bunkers
- Changing holes
- Carrying out routine maintenance to equipment and machinery
- Preparing a tractor with attachments for operation
- Operating a tractor and attachments
- Communication with colleagues and supervisors and others
The knowledge required in addition to the related knowledge required to carry out the above tasks competently include;
- Identification of grasses, plants, trees, diseases, weeds and pests.
| Unit CU2 | Monitor and maintain health and safety |
|---|---|
| Unit CU5 | Develop personal performance and maintain working relationships |
| Unit L2 | Establish plants outdoors |
| Unit L5 | Maintain the health of sports turf |
| Unit L6 | Present, maintain and repair sports turf surfaces for play |
| Unit L27 | Use and maintain equipment and machines |
| Unit CU11 | Prepare and operate a tractor with attachments |
N/SVQ Level 3 Sports Turf Maintenance
This shows that the holder can perform a wide range of greenkeeping activities, most of which are complex and not routine. Holders of this award can take on a lot of responsibility, work on their own but may also supervise or guide others.
Supervisory Level - N/SVQ Level 3 is within the Advanced Apprenticeship framework and the following skills are included:
- Create grassed and planted areas.
- Manage sports turf areas
- Manage drainage and irrigation systems
- Manage information for action
- Estimate and programme work
- Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security.
It should be noted that individuals at this level are expected to have all the knowledge and competencies within N/SVQ Level 2.
| Unit CU106 | Develop procedures for health and safety in the workplace |
|---|---|
| Unit CU110 | Plan and manage the control of weeds, pests and diseases |
| Unit CU118 | Provide vision and direction to other |
| Unit CU124 | Organise a straight-forward land-based project or event |
| Unit CU131 | Identify areas of improvement for yourself and others |
| Unit A2 | Manage you own resources and professional development (MSC) |
| Unit E1 | Manage a budget (MSC) |
| Unit CU92 | Determine policies for the development of land-based sites |
| Unit CU93 | Plan, monitor and evaluate the management of land-based sites |
| Unit D2 | Facilitate meetings (MSC 1997) |
| Unit D3 | Recruit, select and keep colleagues (MSC) |
| Unit F6 | Manage the use of physical resources (VSNTO) |
N/SVQ Level 4 Sports Turf Management
This shows that the holder can perform a wide range of complicated technical and managerial tasks. Holders of this award can take on a great deal of responsibility for their own work and can take responsibility for the work of others and for sharing resources.
Management Level - N/SVQ Level 4 - This is a management qualification and the following skills are included;
- Determine policies for the development of the golf course
- Manage a budget
- Provide vision and direction to others
- Develop procedures for health and safety in the workplace
- Organise a project or event
- Facilitate meetings
- Recruit, select and keep colleagues
- Manage the use of physical resources
| Unit CU106 | Develop procedures for health and safety in the workplace |
|---|---|
| Unit CU110 | Plan and manage the control of weeds, pests and diseases |
| Unit CU118 | Provide vision and direction to other |
| Unit CU124 | Organise a straight-forward land-based project or event |
| Unit CU131 | Identify areas of improvement for yourself and others |
| Unit A2 | Manage you own resources and professional development (MSC) |
| Unit E1 | Manage a budget (MSC) |
| Unit CU92 | Determine policies for the development of land-based sites |
| Unit CU93 | Plan, monitor and evaluate the management of land-based sites |
| Unit D2 | Facilitate meetings (MSC 1997) |
| Unit D3 | Recruit, select and keep colleagues (MSC) |
| Unit F6 | Manage the use of physical resources (VSNTO) |
NOTE: To gain the FULL N/SVQ Certificate, candidates must achieve all the Units, however Unit Certificates are available.
The GTC training provider network offer some or all of the above qualifications and several delivery methods are available including part-time college (day or block release), 100% on the job with workbook and/or on-line learning.
