With education set to play a major role at SALTEX 2015 (4-5 November, at the NEC near Birmingham) through the Institute of Groundsmanship’s (IOG) Learning Live initiative, seminar content is taking shape with details of the Young Groundsmen’s Conference the first to be confirmed.

Sponsored by Rigby Taylor and Top Green, the conference has been organised by the IOG’s Young Board of Directors and will deliver invaluable advice on how to develop a rewarding career in groundsmanship by a number of leading experts.


IOG’s Young Board of Directors at Saltex 2014

This conference is the second annual event for the IOG. It fits with the Young Board’s remit to promote their career, and the industry as a whole, to young people and to effectively network and knowledge share with young groundsmen/women who already work within the industry.

The opening conference session entitled: ‘What makes you employable?’ will feature key speakers from some of the UK’s top sporting venues. This great line-up of experts will provide tips on how to progress within in the industry.

Apart from young people, this conference will also appeal to many head groundsmen who are looking to attract young people into their teams, with seminars led by industry professionals who will offer tips on leadership and management skills.

Full conference sessions include:

• What makes you employable?
• How to get young people involved in your work place
• The art of good leadership and management and how to achieve this
• IOG’s Young Board of Directors Q&A
• How the IOG can help you progress through your career

Commenting on the Young Groundsmen’s Conference at SALTEX 2015, Will Graves, chair of the IOG’s Young Board of Directors, said: “Encouraging others into groundsmanship is by far the most enjoyable aspect of being part of the IOG’s Young Board and seeing young people entering the industry is highly rewarding. I have had some amazing experiences during my time as a groundsman, and it is extremely satisfying to open up similar opportunities for youngsters. This conference will help prepare them for a great future in this sector.”

Echoing Will’s sentiments, Jason Booth, national manager of the IOG’s Regional Advisor Network, said: “As part of my role, I visit a number of sites throughout the UK and it is encouraging to see so many young and passionate groundsmen. These guys are the future of our industry and it is important that we not only give them the help and support that they need but also to ensure that we have a continuous flow of young groundsmen entering the industry.”

The IOG, together with the Young Board, are actively promoting this event to land-based colleges and to younger members of grassroots and professional groundscare teams.