The Government has given approval for the delivery of the new (craft level 2) standard for groundsmanship - a sports turf operative.



The IOG helped to develop this standard, which replaces the former apprenticeship framework and the Institute says this now provides training organisations and employers with greater flexibility in creating the most suitable learning pathway needed for their employees and apprentices.

Unlike the apprentice framework the new standard is more accessible to employees over the age of 24 and provides an ideal opportunity, especially for those with no formal qualifications or who need to update their existing skills, to benchmark their skills and knowledge against a clearly defined standard.

In a statement the IOG said, "This announcement is timely and offers a great opportunity, particularly with the updating of the industry’s Performance Quality Standards taking place and also the IOG’s new Pitch Grading Scheme which is being supported by the Governing Bodies of Sport."