AS SOCIATION REPORTS
ASTMA RTO
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PHOTOS: ALBERT SHERRY
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n mid-March, the ASTMA (RTO#46011) completed the practical skills component of the ‘Prepare sports turf surfaces for play’ unit (AHCTRF306) for students enrolled in its Certificate III in Sports Turf Management course. The first year apprentices spent four days at Adelaide Oval in the leadup to the venue’s Round 2 AFL Premiership match between Port Adelaide and Richmond and were assessed across a number of set tasks to ensure they met industry benchmark standards. This finalised the unit they had been undertaking since classes recommenced for the year in late January. Adelaide Oval is a perfect venue for assessment of the unit as it offers world-class facilities including the main arena which hosts AFL, cricket and concerts, the No.2 oval with turf wickets and turf practice facilities, as well as lawn and artificial tennis courts. The time and work that head curator Damian Hough, Pete Foreman and the amazing team at Adelaide Oval put in to not only accommodate the students but to make the week such a success is truly appreciated. They kicked the week off by providing the students with a tour of the iconic venue and maintenance facility. As part of that, the apprentices completed a worksheet on each of the venue’s turf surfaces before being split into smaller groups supervised by Adelaide Oval staff. This allowed myself and ASTMA SA training manager Chris McCulloch to assess each student completing their required tasks. It was another fantastic week and the group really took an amazing amount of pride in their work, knowing that they were a part of preparations for an AFL match day. Getting the chance to experience time on an elite oval, let alone preparing one of the world’s best sporting venues and working with an extraordinary team of dedicated people over the week, was an extremely rare opportunity for the students. We cannot thank Damian and his team enough for facilitating this experience. After Easter the first-year students began the ‘Implement soil improvements for gardens and turf areas’ (AHCSOL304) and ‘Recognise plants’ (AHCPCM204) units. Elsewhere, our second-year Certificate III students completed the ‘Establish turf’ (AHCTRF308) and ‘Monitor turf health’ (AHCTRF310 ) units, preparing their submissions on the monitoring of both warm-season and cool-season turf varieties at their workplace throughout the growing season. They have since begun the ‘Apply environmentally sustainable work practices’ (AHCWRK320) and ‘Maintain pressurised irrigation systems’ (AHCIRG347) units. Students enrolled in the Diploma of Sports Turf Management course have also been
Adelaide Oval head curator Damian Hough takes the Certificate III in Sports Turf Management students on a tour as part of their recent block release. Below, Tyler Hanson (Glenelg Turf Ace) cuts the playing surface
kept extremely busy completing assessments in the ‘Manage trial and research work’ unit (AHCWRK514). They commenced their trials last spring and have continued to monitor them throughout summer. Preliminary reports have been of a high standard with the students delivering their findings in mid-April. They also completed the ‘Negotiate and monitor contracts’ unit (AHCBUS514) and following a break over Easter have begun the ‘Manage and monitor budgets and financial reports’ (AHCBUS518) and ‘Plan the establishment of sports turf playing surfaces’ (AHCTRF505) units. I have been really impressed with the quality of the work students are delivering and their work ethic. Given the pressures placed on young professionals from a workplace and personal life point of view, without factoring
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in the extreme spring and summer weather conditions across parts of the country, it is great to see the level of dedication they have for their studies. For more information on the Certificate III and Diploma courses offered through the ASTMA and how to enrol, please contact me by email (albert@astma.com.au) or call 0473 064 726. The ASTMA website also has a wealth of information – visit the ‘Registered Training Organisation’ section under the ‘Education’ tab at www.astma. com.au. Importantly, the ASTMA offers rolling enrolments in both qualifications meaning you can join at any time and commence your training with the next scheduled unit.
ALBERT SHERRY TRAINING MANAGER, ASTMA