All apprentices must be employed full time by a ‘SOLAS approved employer’ in a Sportsturf setting.

Option 1:
Leaving Certificate - Minimum entry requirements are a grade H7/O6 or above in five leaving certificate (or equivalent) subjects. A minimum of grade O6 must be obtained in English. A minimum of grade O6 or a B2 or above in Foundation Level must be obtained in Mathematics.

Option 2:
Holders of a QQI Level 5 (or equivalent) in Horticulture can apply for entry onto the programme.

Option 3:
A candidate, 17 and older who does not hold the Level 5 qualifications as set out in categories 1 or 2 above but who has a minimum of 1 years’ experience working as in sportsturf industry, is recommended by their employer and demonstrates the correct attitudes, behaviours and literacy skills, will also be eligible to apply.

Note - The English language entry requirements for the programme are CEF B2+ or equivalent. Candidates with English language levels below CEF B2+ must first reach this minimum standard before enrolling on the academic programme.

Higher Certificate in Sportsturf Management NFQ Level 6

Programme Modules

• Understand the basics of soil science, drainage, and irrigation
• Identify turfgrasses commonly used in sportsturf in Ireland
• Apply plant protection products as a trained professional user
• Use professional reel and bedknife grinders to sharpen cylinder mowers
• Work safely and productively in a sportsturf setting, following appropriate safety, environment and risk checks
• Set-up, repair and maintain sportsturf specific equipment such as tractors, aerators, triplex mowers, fairway mowers, topdresser and sprayers

Apprentices will be trained in a progressive manner and will get to put their skills into practice during both on and off the job training stages. On successful completion, the apprentice will be fully competent in the role of a Sportsturf Technician.

Employers are asked to support employees throughout their learning journey by engaging line managers and facilitating mentor one-to-ones on a regular basis. Employers will be issued with advice on this on induction.

The block release programme has been designed to minimise the impact of the apprentices absence for the employer. Block release allows for employers to plan for the apprentice’s absence throughout the off season. Attendance is compulsory and apprentices will attend classes, practicals, labs and field trips while off-the-job. Examinations will take place also in this period.

The following stages will be completed as part of the Sportsturf Management Apprenticeship:

• Off-the-job Direct contact via lectures and practical demonstrations at Teagasc, Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
• Laboratory work and analysis of sportsturf rootzone materials and topdressing sands.
• Extensive turfgrass areas for demonstrations and practice
• Golf course greens
• Tee boxes • sportsturf drainage examples • sports pitches • equine facilities
• Cricket square • bowling green • tennis court • artificial playing surfaces
• Machinery maintenance facility for equipment setup, repair and maintenance training.
• Exposure to modern Sportsturf maintenance equipment for training purposes. Field trips to Sportsturf facilities around Ireland highlighting excellence. Professional User training facility (Pesticide Application Equipment).
• On-the-job Apprentices while on-the-job will be mentored by a workplace mentor. Apprentices will be trained in the traditional skills associated with greenkeeping, grounds and racetrack maintenance.
• Blended e-learning - access to Teagasc’s e-learning platform Moodle. Connection to peers through weekly on-line sessions.

• Greenkeepers/ Grounds surface staff spend most of their time outside, and the work is very physical so you need a good level of fitness. Allergies, such as hay fever, could make this job difficult.
• Understanding client needs, maintenance needed in different parts of the court, and understanding plans, maps and drawings may be required.
• You must keep health and safety at the forefront of all your activities in compliance with regulations.
• You need to be able to communicate effectively with other staff.
• When operating heavy machinery you need to be aware of health and safety issues.
• Safety focused and a love for working outdoors.
• Interest in sportsturf and science.
• Solid literacy, verbal and numeracy skills.
• Ability to plan and prepare work.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills.
• Good computer skills.
• Good hand/eye co-ordination, manual dexterity and spatial aptitude.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Operate vehicles and powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, and pruning saws.
• Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.
• Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas.
• Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.

• Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.
• Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.
• Gather and remove litter.
• Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.
• Mix and spray or spread fertilisers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
• Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.
• Installation, repair, and upkeep of sports and recreation surfaces & synthetics.

• Sports Turf professionals can work in companies, by location, or in consultancy and their private practice of self employment in the Horticultural sector.
• Higher education courses NFQ level 7-8
• Springboardcoures: Green thinking, Sutainability, and Agricultural innovation 
• Skillnets Networking & Professional development 
• Local enterprise & enterprise offices

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of approved employers by region and by apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

This apprenticeship is managed by Teagasc Kildalton College.  If you are interested in the sportsturf management apprenticeship you should make contact with Teagasc Kildalton College.

To find out more about this apprenticeship, check out the following:

• Sportsturf Management Apprentice Brochure
• Sportsturf Management Brochure
• Sportsturf Management Occupational Profile

Further information is also available from:
Marcella Phelan or Eamon Kealy
Teagasc Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, E32 YW08
Tel: + 353 (0)51 644400
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.teagasc.ie

Finding an Employer

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship and secure an apprenticeship work contract you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal . You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may also hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

You should also directly connect with local employers who might be interested in taking on an apprentice. It is a great idea to get a part time job with a local employer who might be more inclined to take you on as an apprentice following a successful work experience placement or a part time job contract.

Further information about this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations on this website:

The cost of the apprenticeship is €1,500 per year of the programme. Associated costs such as travel and accommodation for the off-the-job block release is extra.

Student Contribution