Hainault course manager first to achieve Level 5

A Hadlow College apprentice has become the first in the UK to successfully complete the Level 5 Golf Course Manager Apprenticeship standard as well as becoming the first to achieve a Level 5 Apprenticeship within the land-based sector.

 

The course manager at Hainault Golf Club in Essex, Paul Selbie sailed through his End Point Assessment after studying for the Level 5 Golf Course Management Apprenticeship at Hadlow College.

Paul said: “It has been almost 20 years since my last educational milestone and I felt the need to challenge myself further. The new level 5 Apprenticeship came along at the right time and allowed me to pull together all my learnt knowledge and experience into a nearly 2-year course. [It was] a rigorous test of both my managerial and greenkeeping skills, culminating in a tough 2-hour exam, a presentation and 3-hour professional discussion. Hopefully I can use this qualification as a steppingstone to further my career.”

As part of the End Point Assessment process, Paul undertook three different components. This included a rigorous three-hour recorded golf course walk that included a professional discussion, a presentation delivered to the examiner and a representative panel and an online knowledge examination.

Anthony Stockwell from Hadlow College said: “I am delighted with Paul’s achievement. He really deserves this success to be the first in the UK as he has shown a driven and determined attitude at all times and I am extremely proud to have had him as a student.”

As part of the apprenticeship, Paul also wrote a R&A Golf Course policy document and created an extensive portfolio of evidence to demonstrate his knowledge, skills and behaviours.

The Apprenticeship End Point Assessment Organisation Lantra Awards confirmed Paul’s achievements.

Jo-Anne Bryan, head of the End Point Assessment Team, said: “As an EPA organisation we’re delighted that Paul is the first apprentice to achieve the Level 5 Golf Course Manager programme, having recently completed his EPA. This validates the importance of having a structured progression pathway with levels 2, 3 and now 5 within the suite of greenkeeping apprenticeships”. 

The news comes during a purple patch for Hadlow College, with fellow student Daniel Martin, who is studying for a Level 3 Golf Greenkeeping Apprenticeship, being named as the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year last month.

Hadlow College is part of North Kent College, which is one of the country’s leading apprenticeship providers offering a number of apprenticeships across campuses at Tonbridge, Dartford, Gravesend and Hadlow in a variety of industries. You can view full details by visiting the Apprenticeships section of the Hadlow College website or on the North Kent College website. Call 01322 629400 or email apprentices@northkent.ac.uk to get in touch.