GROW WITH THE IOG
NEXT MONTH US intern Amy Wiber at AELTC
NEW LEARNING
TEACHING TURF Fulfilling needs within the Pitch Grading Framework initiative, the IOG has completed the updated version of an IOG Professional Development Qualification in Turf Surface Management
he u d ted u li�c ti n hel s m int in hi h tur st nd rds
T By Chris Gray IOG Learning Programme Architect
his u d ted di l m h s een s lit int t e r c urse e r ne is the e el r essi n l erti ic te in ur ur ce n ement nd e r t is the e el r essi n l i l m in ur ur ce n ement The importance of maintaining high standards, meeting current needs of turf management, as well as ensuring continuity with the history of the IOG, has been fundamental and challenging in creating these new professional development qualifications. To further reinforce this approach, all entrants to the Level 5 diploma must have achieved the IOG Level 4 certificate as a prerequisite.
BUILDING ON INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE
Practitioners within the turf care industry can now not only benchmark themselves against the premium IOG professional turf management qualification, as in the past, but also demonstrate to others their knowledge and understanding of this diverse and changing field. e itch r din r me rk in det il
All learning is online, with the Level 5 requiring 180 hours of study and a high level of critical reflection of course material, being supported by expert tutors. The final module, Turf Futures: Developments and Innovations, builds on other modules within the course, as well as the Level 4 course, and encourages exploration of contemporary issues and visions. This module is categorised into five broad themes: Economic Environmental Regulatory Social Technological. The aim of these themes is to act as a catalyst for learners to investigate further after having achieved the qualification, and so contribute to and build-up the industry knowledge base.
SETTING HIGH STANDARDS
The IOG now has a full progressive suite of professional development qualifications from Levels 2 (craft operative level) up to Level 6 (consultant/ senior manager level) and this supports the Pitch Grading Framework, which Geoff Webb, CEO of the IOG, says “will bring much-needed clarity to what constitutes good management and standard of provision”. For further details about this new qualification, and other qualifications offered by the IOG, visit www.iog.org/learning/qualifications
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50 THE GROUNDSMAN June 2018
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