Tag Archive for: Industry

Industry support needed to develop apprenticeship

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Industry support needed to develop apprenticeship: The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) has given the green light for the Sports Turf Trailblazer group to develop a new Level 5 Sports Turf Apprenticeship.

Whilst in the formative stages of development this is an exciting opportunity to build on the work already done by the group in revision of the Level 2 and development of the new Level 3 apprenticeships. Creation of a Level 5 apprenticeship will provide a recognised educational pathway from entry to degree level whilst benefitting from government funded fee support for employers of 95%-100%. Making education more accessible will help with recruitment, retention and the ongoing professionalisation of the sports turf industry.

Industry support needed to develop apprenticeship

Industry support needed to develop apprenticeship

As part of the Level 5 apprenticeship development process the trailblazer wishes to engage with the wider industry. It is important that the apprenticeship that is developed reflects the needs of the industry. There may be an opportunity to integrate the well-established Foundation Degree into the apprenticeship (benefitting from 95%-100% fee support) but this can only be achieved with industry support. The Trailblazer group will be circulating communications in the coming months and arranging various forums to discuss what is proposed. We would encourage sports turf professionals and their employers to engage with these events. Additionally, we would welcome new applications to be involved with the Trailblazer group from individuals who wish to be engaged more directly in the Level 5 apprenticeship development process.

Please contact Chairperson of the Sports Turf Trailblazer Daniel Ratling for more information d.ratling@whitgift.co.uk

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SALTEX provides boost to the industry

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SALTEX provides boost to the industry: SALTEX 2023 welcomed over 7,900 visitors to the bustling two-day exhibition. But it’s not just the quantity of visitors that was so impressive in the face of Storm Ciaran but the quality, say show organisers, the GMA.

Geoff Webb, CEO, Grounds Management Association says: “The show data demonstrates that SALTEX continues to deliver on an extremely high level of quality attendees: 25 percent of visitors hold senior managerial positions at their place of work and nearly 80 percent play a role in the purchasing decision-making.”

SALTEX provides boost to the industry

SALTEX provides boost to the industry

It’s certainly a view held by exhibitors too as Rob Edwards, marketing manager of tractor business unit at Kubota, confirms: “Without doubt, SALTEX ‘23 was a great success for Kubota. As the leading event in the UK for grounds management, it was the ideal way for us to showcase our range, as well as launch our innovative new products to the market.

“The format, where products, services, forums, and training are brought together in one place attracts the right customers and we were very busy throughout the show. The GMA does an excellent job of delivering SALTEX, and we are very pleased with the sales, press and marketing opportunities that the show delivered.”

This year, visitors attended from every corner of the UK, as well as a growing international attendance from across the globe. It’s clear that the global appeal of the show continues to grow, with a 20 percent increase in international exhibitors attending SALTEX this year.

The addition of new feature areas including The Clubhouse brought together people from across different sporting communities including women in turf and the cricketing world. The exciting new Community Sports Zone, also saw buoyant business which proved of great benefit to the grassroots and volunteer audience.

Geoff Webb adds, “SALTEX has delivered for the industry once again – it’s the perfect platform to showcase the UK turf sector globally and is a success story for the UK as a whole. For the show to maintain its position as the leading free grounds management show in Europe is testament to how highly regarded and valuable the show is perceived to be in the industry.”

SALTEX will be back at Birmingham NEC on 30-31 October 2024.

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Certis Belchim Growing with the Amenity Industry at SALTEX

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Certis Belchim Growing with the Amenity Industry at SALTEX: With a legacy of trusted weed and surface management solutions and a focus on sustainable time saving practices, Certis Belchim Amenity and its products play a fundamental role in landscape and grounds management throughout the UK.

’We have the gold standard non-selective residual herbicide in Chikara Weed Control’ says Dom Corbett, Technical Support Advisor ‘as well as it’s efficacy Chikara Weed Control offers versatility of application with pre and early post emergence timing and a wise range of surfaces with amenity vegetation (around), natural surfaces not intended to bear vegetation, permeable surfaces overlying soil, and hard surfaces (railway ballast only)’.

Certis Belchim Growing with the Amenity Industry at SALTEX

Certis Belchim Growing with the Amenity Industry at SALTEX

Fewer applications thanks to the lower application rate and control for up to 5 months mean less resources to get the job done. All in all, Chikara Weed Control is one of the most cost effective tools available for total weed control.

Another of our non-selective products and derived from sustainable plant-based sources is Katoun Gold. This is a contact acting herbicide, again for total weed control on amenity vegetation, natural surfaces not intended to bear vegetation, and permeable surfaces overlying soil. Dom adds ‘Katoun Gold is very fast acting thanks to its mode of action and affects can even be seen within a couple of hours of application. Plus, with its low water rate it is easy to apply and cover large areas quickly.’

Winner of the Saltex innovation award in 2021, Enclean is a novel biocide for the control of green deposits on a wide range of surfaces; Patios, roofs, artificial surfaces like tennis courts, fences and more. Dom says ‘It was great when we introduced Enclean to get the recognition at Saltex for the work that went into developing and launching this product. It has a novel mode of action, fast acting and quick to apply making it more cost effective than conventional QAC products, a real innovation.’

To learn more about our range, come and see our dedicated team of Basis qualified professionals who bring expertise and insight across a wide variety of situations from industrial to fine turf on stand H110. If you can’t make the show you can always find us at www.certisbelchim.co.uk as well as on social media:

X/Twitter: @CB_Amenity_UK, LinkedIn: Certis Belchim Amenity and Instagram: @certis_belchim_amenityuk

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#GroundsWeek backed by key industry organisations

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#GroundsWeek backed by key industry organisations: The GMA announces #GroundsWeek 2023 sponsors: Barenbrug, Farol, Husqvarna, Infinicut, ISEKI, Kubota, Origin Amenity Solutions, Premier Pitches, Reesink Turfcare, Sports & Turf from British Sugar, and Turf Matters.

#GroundsWeek, returning from 20 – 26 March 2023 for its third year, is buoyed by support from key industry organisations representing all corners of the grounds care sector, from products and services to industry media.

#GroundsWeek backed by key industry organisations

#GroundsWeek backed by key industry organisations

The not-for-profit membership association launched #GroundsWeek two years ago amidst a challenging environment for the sector caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. With the objective of raising awareness of the vital work of grounds care volunteers and professionals in the UK, and with a focus on inspiring new recruits to consider a career in the industry, #GroundsWeek has since caught the attention of the sporting world.

The awareness week has featured in BBC Sport, ITV News and Sky Sports, and earned support from leading sports organisations from England Rugby and England Football, to Ascot and Wimbledon.

Keen to recognise the important role of sponsors in #GroundsWeek, GMA CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“We launched #GroundsWeek at a time when the sector needed support and deserved recognition. By supporting the week and backing the industry, our #GroundsWeek sponsors have helped us invest in campaigns that catch the attention of the media, highlight the vital work of grounds staff, and introduce new people to careers and roles in the sector.

“As a not-for-profit, support from the broader industry is essential if we are to expand on activity that looks to promote the sector. Initiatives like #GroundsWeek simply wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors – we are extremely grateful to have them on board.”

For more information about #GroundsWeek, its sponsors, and how to get involved with the week, visit https://thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

A thank you to the official sponsors of #GroundsWeek 2023:

Barenbrug, Farol, Husqvarna, Infinicut, ISEKI, Kubota, Origin Amenity Solutions, Premier Pitches, Reesink Turfcare, Sports & Turf from British Sugar, and Turf Matters

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Topsoil industry to lose passionate educator

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Topsoil industry to lose passionate educator: The UK’s topsoil industry is to lose to retirement someone who has spent the past 26 years raising the quality bar for manufactured topsoils and leading the industry in educating and informing customers across the construction, landscaping, and amenity markets.

Andy Spetch is retiring at the end of April after a career with British Sugar spanning 36 years. He joined as an agricultural trainee in 1987 and worked as an agronomist for the company in the UK and Poland before starting up British Sugar’s TOPSOIL division in 1997.

Topsoil industry to lose passionate educator

Topsoil industry to lose passionate educator

Recognising that the rich arable soil brought into British Sugar’s UK factories on the sugar beet was a valuable resource, and in line with the company’s vision to make its operations environmentally and commercially sustainable, Andy set about designing quality topsoil products. Working closely with soil scientist Tim O’Hare, with whom he has continued to work to develop products and stringent testing and analysis protocols, Andy developed a range of products for the construction, landscaping, and sports amenity markets.

Key to TOPSOIL’s success has been Andy’s determination to provide customers with continual independent detailed product analysis, case studies and testimonials, and reports on scientific trials carried out on TOPSOIL products by respected organisations such as the Sports Turf Research Institute and Cranfield University. He has always believed passionately in informing and educating customers about soils and soil products so that they have the information they need to make informed choices. All data, analysis, trial reports, and case studies remain freely available for download from the company’s website.

Andy’s all-encompassing role at TOPSOIL is being re-structured in advance of his departure. Senior TOPSOIL Manager Natalie Gudgin, who joined British Sugar in 2009 and who has worked closely with Andy in managing the TOPSOIL sales team, will take on the strategic sales role. Overall responsibility for production, testing and analysis will rest with the topsoil production managers, and British Sugar’s marketing department will take on direct responsibility for promoting TOPSOIL and its products to its key markets.

“I would like to thank our customers for their support over the years; I know Natalie and the TOPSOIL team will continue to give them excellent service and advice going forwards. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the trade associations we have worked with from day one. In particular, BALI and the late John O’Conner of John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance who was such a tremendous help to me personally as I found my way around the landscape industry back in the late 1990’s, and Geoff Webb and Jason Booth of the GMA who have been a great support throughout TOPSOIL’s development and growth.”

Commenting on his future plans, Andy said:

“My time with British Sugar, and particularly heading up TOPSOIL, has been incredibly rewarding. Together with the great team at TOPSOIL, I hope I’ve managed to make a positive contribution to the use and acceptance of quality manufactured topsoils, which must be the future if we are to protect the earth’s soils.

“In retirement I’m looking forward to continuing as a volunteer pitch advisor for the RFU and to doing more bicycle touring. In July this year we will be riding from home to Switzerland, following the Rhine for over 700 miles. I want to use this ride to raise funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease to show my support for Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater and others suffering with this awful and currently incurable disease.”

You can sponsor Andy at JustGiving by clicking here or visiting www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-spetch-1673869582965

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