Photograph by: Graeme Roberts, Swinley Forest Golf Club, Berkshire
Greenkeeping - The Basics
There are many routes into a career in greenkeeping. You might start with an apprenticeship, on-the-job training or you might undertake a full time college course.
Each Golf Club has its own recruitment process, ranging from a single interview to a series of interviews and assessments. Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and the role and do your best to impress on the day.
There are many opportunities in this industry and many successful greenkeepers have worked with Associations such as BIGGA to gain professional industry qualifications, for example the Master Greenkeeper Certificate. The following is a guide to help you on the path to becoming a greenkeeper.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for businesses and for employees; an apprenticeship is a first step in a career where employees will continue to develop and train into the future, increasing their skills and knowledge as they progress along their career path. For Golf Clubs Employers, apprenticeships provide the skilled workforce they need to offer great golf courses to their members and to gain and retain a productive and motivated workforce. An apprenticeship is a package of learning that combines on and off site learning, to ensure the apprentice gains the skills and knowledge they need. To learn more about what an apprenticeship is, the National Apprenticeship Service have produced a fact sheet 'A guide to apprenticeships' and the following link will take you to more information on the Gov.uk website about apprenticeships, traineeships and internships.
Training Providers
As part of the training of a greenkeeper, finding a suitable training provider is essential. The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) maintains a list of GTC Approved Training Providers. These colleges and training centres offer Government approved greenkeeping courses and qualifications that have been developed by the GTC, BIGGA and other relevant organisations. In many cases funding support is available.
To find out more about these training providers, use the links below to be taken to the individual pages which show the range of courses available at your chosen centre.
If you want to find the nearest provider to your region, try the Course Finder and discover the GTC Approved Training Provider locations.
IF IN DOUBT ABOUT WHICH TRAINING PROVIDER OR UNSURE ABOUT WHICH COURSE OR QUALIFICATION, PLEASE CONTACT BIGGA OR THE GTC TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS.
GTC Approved Training Providers
The following training providers deliver greenkeeping qualifications but have chosen not to be part of the Approved Training Provider programme
Non Approved Training Providers
If you are a school leaver, particularly in Scotland, this website is worth a look - The school leavers' guide to getting a job in Scotland