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EDITOR'S BLOG

TIME TO PAY UP
Turf professionals undervalued
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

Colleagues are telling me they are worried about pay levels and conditions in our industry - and how this is making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain new staff.

Over the last few weeks I have spoken to greenkeepers and grounds managers who are worried about pay levels and conditions in our sports turf and amenity industry - and how this is making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain new staff.

It would appear from the conversations I have had, that the problem of recruitment is driven by the fact that our pay scales and working conditions are not attractive to new recruits. In theory they can earn more and not have to work as long hours, particularly weekends, for example by driving a white van or stacking shelves.

Currently, an average greenkeeper's salary in the UK is £20,000 per year, around £10.26 per hour, some £6,000 less than the average salary in the UK which, in 2021, stood at £25,971. It is also worth noting that entry level positions start at around £17,955 per year, whilst the most experienced workers can make up to £26,500 per year as reported in Golf Monthly.

The combination of low pay and the pressure being put on greenkeepers and grounds staff in recent years has led to a lot of experienced turf professionals leaving the industry, making the job of recruitment much more difficult.

For me, this issue has built over the years. Many greenkeepers feel undervalued and under pressure to deliver standards they cannot achieve, often because staffing levels, resources and budgets have been reduced. As a consequence many golf courses are now running on reduced staffing levels.

Both the GMA and BIGGA have recently published their recommended pay scales for grounds professionals for 2022.

You can read the GMA's recommendations here whilst BIGGA promotes the use of the Committee for Golf Club Salaries calculator.

The reality of the situation

In reality most of our grounds professionals get nowhere near these recommended pay scales - and for the majority of jobs seen advertised in the press and on social media, they too seem to be way under the recommended pay scales.

A recent poll undertaken by Brian Sandalls who runs Turfcareblog, gives a fascinating insight into the problems of current recommended pay scales and how we are perceived as turf professionals.

For far too many years our sports turf and amenity sector has been tarnished with those immortal words, ‘you only cut grass?’ Far too many people do not appreciate the skills and knowledge required to manage a living, growing landscape facility.

Whether it is growing plants, managing sports turf, or looking after large tracts of land there is need to have a specific knowledge and understanding of what you are managing to fulfil the potential of that managed facility.

It takes many years to acquire all the skills needed to be a professional grounds manager / turf professional.

It often takes between three to five years to acquire the basic levels of knowledge and expertise along with undertaking various college tutoring to gain the relevant qualifications required to become a qualified greenkeeper.

Not having a crystal ball makes it difficult to predict what the future holds for our industry and those who work in it. However, for me there are three areas of contention I would like to see our industry overcome in the next few years. These being:

Better recognition of the work of done by grounds professionals that would hopefully lead to better pay and conditions;
A national recruitment campaign to get new blood into the industry;
And a review of the education pathways on offer to people working in our industry.

What can be done?

Essentially, we need to glamorise and showcase what we do to entice the next generation of paid grounds professionals. On top of that, we also need the government to recognise the value of public parks and open spaces.

Technology and innovation are moving at a great pace. Robotic mowers and battery powered equipment are becoming more wildly used in both the domestic and professional sectors.

The use of hybrid powered machinery will continue to grow, while larger petrol and diesel-powered vehicles will come under increased scrutiny.
There is no getting away from it, the smartphone and computer technologies are only going to increase and become a larger part of our industry in the coming years. We are already seeing the development of drones and robotics taking off at a rapid rate. We have an array of cordless mowers and other implements being made available by a plethora of manufacturers.

I personally find it mind blowing to see the total range of machinery and tools we now have at our disposal, compared to 30 years ago. All are aimed at increasing efficiency, quality of work, and safety of the operator.

As I discussed in a previous blog, I would like to see our industry formally come together collectively to promote the values and opportunities that are available for this next generation and find a way of promoting and portraying the values of working in this sector. There needs to be a national strategy that funds the opportunity for the industry to be promoted in every school. We need to show that there are many career opportunities to be had in our diverse sports turf and amenity industry.

I personally think that it is about time our industry governing bodies and organisations actually start working collectively together to solve this problem and drive our industry forward. The likes of the GMA, BIGGA, RHS, PMA, The R&A, BAGMA and key colleges / university and education departments should at least be talking to one another to find a national solution and way of solving these issues.

It is now time we changed the perception of our industry and the only way to do this is by encouraging workplaces to invest more in their staff and make them feel valued. We also need collectively across all sectors of our vast industry, promote the benefits and opportunities of working in such a wonderful and diverse industry.

NEWS

GMA REPORT HIGH LEVELS OF JOB SATISFACTION
Encouraging new recruits

In our first WEB ONLY story, the GMA is marking their #GroundsWeek that kicks off today, with a campaign to help tackle the lack of skilled talent coming into the industry.

NEW ROLES FOR JOHN LEDWIDGE & KARL STANDLEY
With The Football Foundation

In our next WEB ONLY story, heads of turf at Leicester City FC and Wembley Stadium have joined up with the charity to support its mission to revolutionise the quality of grass pitches across the country.

CASH PRIZE ON OFFER
For answering survey

Take part in our survey to be in with a chance of winning

Today is the last day for head greenkeepers and golf course managers to take part in our Weeds, Pests and Diseases product questionnaire.

Today is the last day for head greenkeepers and golf course managers to take part in our Weeds, Pests and Diseases product questionnaire and be in with the chance of winning a £50 cash prize.

By taking part you can help us build a picture for the industry of the pressures and priorities faced when it comes to managing the fairways.

In order to complete this survey, it would be useful to have your outline spending figures for the following products: fungicides, selective herbicides, growth regulators and insecticides, to hand.

Please complete the survey today and enter your email address at the end of the survey to be in with a chance of winning the cash prize.

Take part here.

BIGGA RELEASE DETAILS OF OPENING CELEBRATION
For BTME this month

BIGGA say the informal event will recognise the achievements of its members throughout the previous year.

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) have revealed details of their Welcome Celebration, taking place on the opening night of BTME 2022.

Naga Munchetty

Presented by popular television presenter and leading golf personality Naga Munchetty, the BIGGA say the Welcome Celebration is a an informal event that recognises the achievements of their members throughout the previous year, including the presentation of the BIGGA Awards 2022. This year its lead sponsor is AMS Robotics.

The free-to-attend event takes place in the Main Auditorium of the Harrogate Convention Centre and will recognise the many people who have contributed positively to the industry since the previous BTME in January 2020.

The BIGGA Welcome Celebration takes place on Tuesday 22 March at 5.30pm. At the event will be announced:

The winners of the BIGGA Awards 2022
The winner of the Innovation and Thought Leadership Award sponsored by Campey Turf Care Solutions.

Also recognised will be the:

BIGGA Annual Photographic Competition winner
BIGGA’s latest Life Members
CPD achievers
Master Greenkeepers

Also introduced will be the association's new president and vice president for 2022.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said, “The BIGGA Welcome Celebration is the one event of the year where every BIGGA member can join us to recognise all the hard work that has been done across the association. It’s free to attend so you don’t need an invitation and there’ll also be all necessary COVID safety measures in place. All we ask is that you come along and celebrate everything we have overcome since the last time we were together in January 2020. The world has changed, but let’s use this as an opportunity to announce that we are back and better than ever!"

UPDATING EVENTS COMING UP
London date at Arsenal soon

The Amenity Forum is running its series of days containing important briefing information on topical issues as well as forthcoming policy change.

The Amenity Forum is currently running its series of Updating Events across the UK.

One of these is to be held at Arsenal FC's stadium on March 9th and will contain important briefing information on topical issues as well as forthcoming policy change. As well as being events to receive information, the Forum says they also act as opportunities for those attending to contribute their views and influence matters.

In a statement, the Amenity Forum said, "In terms of weed, pest and disease management, significant policy change is afoot. With our withdrawal from the EU, new regulations are emerging regarding the approval and use of plant protection products. In addition a new UK National Action Plan is soon to be issued setting out the requirements going forward. We already know that this will have a major focus on integrated management approaches and greater enforcement and standards. Then there is the implementation of the Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020 (OCR). This has already legally required all suppliers of plant protection products (PPPs) to register their locations and stock carried. From June 2022, such a legal responsibility will also apply to all users of PPPs backed up by increased inspection and enforcement.

"Representatives from UK and national governments will be in attendance and thus the events provide excellent opportunity for you to express your views and thoughts direct to them."

The Forum says if you are involved in, or have an interest in, the amenity sector, contact Kate at admin@amenityforum.net to book your free place.

Upcoming events:

London, 9th March
Throws Farm, Essex, 17th March
Belfast, 23rd March
Edinburgh, 4th March
Cardiff (online), 16th February

HUSQVARNA RECOGNISED FOR EMISSION REDUCTIONS
Global Supplier Engagement Leader

Husqvarna Group has been honoured by CDP, who evaluate supplier engagement practices with the aim of reducing emissions in global supply chains.

Husqvarna Group has been recognised as a Global Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP, a nonprofit organisation that runs the global environmental disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions.

Several thousand companies have disclosed their data in the CDP's Supplier Engagement Rating system (SER). The system evaluates supplier engagement practices with the aim of reducing emissions in global supply chains. Out of all companies participating, the top 8% are being named Supplier Engagement Leaders, 2021.

"We are proud of the progress we are making and the recognition from CDP. Our engagement in the CDP Supply Chain program has further improved our insight and capabilities in supply chain CO₂ impacts, delivering the results we needed to meet our targets", says Calle Medin, VP sustainability.

Husqvarna Group say they aim to cut the absolute CO₂ emissions across the value chain by 35% before 2025 while profitably growing the business. CDP evaluates supplier engagement by looking at governance, targets, scope three emissions, and value chain engagement. The scores in the CDP rating system are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero-carbon, sustainable and resilient economy.

Sonya Bhonsle, global head of value chains & regional director corporations, CDP, said, "Our data shows that companies currently have blinkers on when it comes to assessing their indirect impacts and engaging with suppliers to reduce them. Companies must act urgently to cascade action and manage environmental impacts throughout their supply chains to scale the level of action to secure a 1.5°C future. Many congratulations to the 400+ companies earning a place on CDP's 2021 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard.

"As a Supplier Engagement Leader, Husqvarna Group is a trailblazer driving the transition towards a sustainable net-zero future."

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