Training Needs Analysis

The GMA’s Training Needs Analysis service is designed to support managers and grounds staff in mapping out a training and education journey. This service benefits those that actively take part in an appraisal system and those who adopt a more informal development programme. Meeting with each member of the grounds team, a GMA Learning expert can draw up a unique learning plan for that individual. This will aid both the individual and the employer when mapping out the future development programme for the whole team.

This service works alongside the GMA’s Grounds Management Framework to enable grounds staff to meet both their own and their employer goals to: • Support an individual, a team and sport surface standards • Aid an appraisal process with GMA Learning • Build a structured and realistic plan to follow • Highlight professional grounds management skills

CASE STUDY

Mill Hill School Foundation in London benefits from Training Needs Analysis

The GMA’s Training Needs Analysis recently collaborated with Grounds Manager, Michael Llong (inset), at Mill Hill School Foundation in London. Michael oversees four of the seven schools, which include 160 acres of winter sports pitches, natural grass athletics areas, cricket pitches and artificial sports surfaces – plus two heritage gardens, a maze, woodlands, roads, paths and fencing on the properties, Michael contacted the GMA’s Training Needs Analysis to gain a thorough understanding of what was needed to help his satisfy the school’s current and future needs. “Since I engaged with the GMA’s Training Needs Analysis service, my staff have been on several courses, including the GMA’s Level 2 Technical Certificate in Turf Surface Maintenance, Level 3 Technical Diploma Turf Surface Management and Level 3 Certificate in Supervisory Management,” said Michael. “Additionally, they have attended bespoke day courses for artificial surface maintenance, Chainsaw CS 30/31, Pesticides PA1/6A and RHS Level 2, and we have also introduced an apprenticeship programme, and run health and safety, and first aid courses,” he commented.

Michael adds that his team members now “better understand the ‘why’ behind grounds maintenance tasks and recognise the need to complete them in a certain way”, in addition to being more confident about using new techniques and experimenting with different products. Regarding academic qualifications, Michael said, “If we had put staff members on a work-based Level 2 training course, this would not have been enough to upskill them for our current and future needs. Theory-based learning that met the needs of each staff member was important, which is why I engaged with the GMA’s Training Needs Analysis service to help identify a range of opportunities to develop my team. “During the process, Dan Prest, the GMA’s head of technical and learning, gave me a thorough understanding of what was needed to help our team meet the Mill Hill School Foundation’s future goals. Staff members were then offered a training needs assessment. Five team members sat down with Dan to set their personal goals and he created an individual training plan for each of them.”