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Development at the heart of GMA Strategy

October 3, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Ollie Swan

Development at the heart of GMA Strategy: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has, after the impact of the pandemic and following the impact of global events, combined with the cost-of-living crisis, focused on tackling the key issues highlighted by volunteers and professionals as priority areas to address in the grounds care industry. Published alongside the […]

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed

October 3, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed: The latest lithium-powered transport options for the UK’s holiday park and resorts will be at the Holiday Park Innovation and Resort Show as distributor Reesink e-Vehicles showcases STAR EV buggies and utility vehicles and a KAASPEED electric scooter. For holiday park and resort owners and managers keen to see […]

Development at the heart of GMA Strategy

October 3, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Ollie Swan

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed

October 3, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Development at the heart of GMA Strategy

October 3, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Ollie Swan

Development at the heart of GMA Strategy: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has, after the impact of the pandemic and following the impact of global events, combined with the cost-of-living crisis, focused on tackling the key issues highlighted by volunteers and professionals as priority areas to address in the grounds care industry.

Published alongside the GMA’s 2022 Workforce Survey, the reset of the GMA’s Five-Year Strategy first launched in 2021, outlines six key priority areas that will inform and influence the association’s work to help achieve three long-term goals:

Development at the heart of GMA Strategy

To attract new talent and accelerate the growth of a diverse workforce
To support sustainable business growth and protect the sector’s interests
To build industry reputation and promote the sector’s contribution to society and the economy

The six strategic priority areas are:

Workforce development
People and culture
Services and support
Industry representation
Data and digitisation
Funding and investment

GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb said: “We know the challenges that those working in the grounds care industry face and the findings from our Annual Workforce Survey echo those issues year after year. Whilst we have made progress since revealing the results of “Groundsmanship Sports Vital Profession” in 2019, the trends first identified remain.”

“The issues are far-reaching and to make a positive difference at pace, working together as a sector, we need a shift in mindset and outlook. Working collaboratively is key to success. Members and others working in grounds care, those employing grounds staff, industry partners and suppliers, national governing bodies, professional leagues, the media, local authorities, and the education sector all have a role to play. It’s a team effort.”

The GMA’s latest report estimates that over 3,200 professional grounds managers are due to retire in the next three years and over a third of all grounds professionals are over the age of 55. The lack of young people joining the profession is evident with only 3% being under 25. A clear indication that the industry is facing a recruitment crisis and must act now to attract the next generation.

A lack of diversity also continues to be an issue in grounds management with white men still being the most dominant demographic working in the industry. 96% of professional grounds staff are male and only 3% are non-white, which is far from representative of the communities across the UK.

The report also highlights an issue with underinvestment in grounds management, both in terms of procuring the necessary equipment, and the salary levels paid to grounds staff. The association believes that there is a widespread lack of understanding of what skills, technical expertise, and equipment are required to maintain sports grounds to a satisfactory standard. An issue that will be addressed by proactively promoting the work of grounds people and reiterating the message that with no ground, there’s no game.

GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb continues: “When Covid hit, like many, we focused resources on adapting to the ever-changing working environment, moving to remote working and facilitating longstanding face-to-face training and events online. Likewise, many worked with limited capacity and resources during this period, this impacted on many skilled ground staff and impacted on the ability of volunteers to spend the time attending to their clubs and facilities. We have to recognise that we are still in recovery and today are met with fresh challenges such as the cost of living, the impact on the supply chain and recruitment issues.

“We have reset having to contend with a delayed SALTEX which was a fantastic success last Autumn and have spent 2022 reviewing and resetting our strategy as well as building an expanded team. This year has been about getting the right people and resources in place and 2023 will see us move from capability building to implementation as we focus on the strategic priorities and long-term goals outlined in our Strategy.

“This reset of our Strategy puts us on a path to deliver and with the continued support of our Chair and Board, we will continue to invest in building on the six key priority areas identified to meet the needs of members and the wider grounds care sector.”

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Show time for Star and Kaaspeed

October 3, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed: The latest lithium-powered transport options for the UK’s holiday park and resorts will be at the Holiday Park Innovation and Resort Show as distributor Reesink e-Vehicles showcases STAR EV buggies and utility vehicles and a KAASPEED electric scooter.

For holiday park and resort owners and managers keen to see the latest lithium-powered options for quiet, efficient, practical, and economical transport around sites, Reesink is bringing options for work as well as transporting guests.

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed

Dave French, Reesink e-Vehicles sales manager, says: “For venues that require vehicles to work near customers, it’s essential they deliver clean, green power. With these lithium-powered buggies and utility vehicles from STAR EV there are no fumes and no noise pollution meaning customers can work smarter – and by that we mean earlier and for longer. Meanwhile, the KAASPEED scooter provides the latest, most unique mode of eco-transportation for guests and staff.”

Bringing the ideal combination of on-board charging, a good mileage per charge and an extensive warranty – up to six years on the lithium batteries – from STAR EV at the show will be the Capella Work Machine, market-leading when it comes to towing capacity and the amount of payload they can handle, the Capella lifted which is ideal for off-road load carrying situations and the Sirius people carrier that has been designed specifically as a personal transportation vehicle and is being extremely well received by current customers.

Dave continues: “Whenever there’s the need to move anything, product or person, from A to B in the efficient and green way, the range from STAR EV is it.”

KAASPEED’s electric scooter is a lightweight, self-balancing, wide-wheeled scooter that provides a fun method of transport for multi-surface adventures. These scooters are cost-effective, especially as little maintenance is required.

Dave comments: “KAASPEED scooters are a great choice and suit any terrain, which is a real selling point. They make travel fun, different and exciting. They can be used on all types of surface thanks to having the choice of two types of tyres – the Scorpion tyre offers excellent traction for woodland and sandy surfaces, while the standard plain tread tyres are perfect for flat ground with turf protection.”

For whisper-quiet, electric transport options delivering all-day productivity, come see us at the Holiday Park and Resort Innovation Show on stand HP1230.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Development at the heart of GMA Strategy

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed

Development at the heart of GMA Strategy

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Development at the heart of GMA Strategy

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed

Show time for Star and Kaaspeed: The latest lithium-powered transport options for the UK’s holiday park and resorts will be at the Holiday Park Innovation and Resort Show as distributor Reesink e-Vehicles showcases STAR EV buggies and utility vehicles and a KAASPEED electric scooter.

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