We are just over a week away now from the traditional start to the turf care year - with BIGGA's BTME kicking off next Tuesday in Harrogate.

That's when the exhibition starts, the educational event which runs alongside it, Continue To Learn, actually begins this coming Sunday. Looking on the Association's website this aspect of the event appears to be more popular than ever this year.

A notice on there says all bookings have now stopped for Continue To Learn and scanning down the plethora of sessions, many have Sold Out notices attached to them.

For those who haven't booked up in advance it does say all sessions classed as 'Seminars’ will have 50 seats in the seminar room, available on a first come, first serve basis. BIGGA are recommending that interested parties arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time of the Seminar session they wish to attend.

All of which clearly illustrates the appetite out there currently amongst members of the industry to keep learning and constantly be looking for opportunities to expand their professional knowledge. It's something which as a whole the industry should be really proud of.

Similarly, on the IOG's website at the moment, they are promoting their new Training Needs Analysis service. This sounds like a great addition to their offerings, helping their members who are thinking of going for a formal qualification at a land-based college, or perhaps an online route through the IOG, with advice on the best route to take.

Meeting with each member of the grounds team, the IOG say the service can draw up a unique learning plan for that individual. This, they say, will aid both the individual and the employer to map out the future development programme for the whole team.

They give an example on their site of Sean Williams, Head Groundsman at Gloucester County Cricket Ground who has recently made effective use of this service. "This is an invaluable management tool which helps me plan for the future and show that the club are willing to invest in good training," he is quoted.

Apparently, the recent analysis of staff at GCCC has enabled the club to consider training routes they were not aware of. This service is totally impartial and considers all training providers, not just the IOG courses. Sean continues by saying, "This service gives both my team and I a learning path to follow, and it will be good for the game and the industry in the long run."

And that's the most important aspect. These courses offered by the various trade associations are clearly adding to the skill sets of individuals which in turn benefits the turfcare industry as a whole. New skills learnt when working in one discipline will, to varying degrees, be transferable as individuals move across work places and sectors.

This should lead to an industry populated with a workforce always up to date with the latest thinking and practices. However, almost more importantly than that, one which views the process of continually updating and adding to their professional education as both normal and on-going.