Tag Archive for: talent

NextGen To Inspire Future Talent At Wimbledon

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NextGen To Inspire Future Talent At Wimbledon: As part of #GroundsWeek 2025, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) NextGen group will host a Schools Into Stadia event on Thursday 20 March at the iconic All England Club.

This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of grounds professionals and showcase the exciting opportunities within the sector.

NextGen To Inspire Future Talent At Wimbledon

NextGen To Inspire Future Talent At Wimbledon

The GMA NextGen group, sponsored by Reesink UK, is comprised of talented young grounds professionals who represent the grounds management industry. Acting as ambassadors for the GMA, their mission is to encourage more young people to consider a career in grounds management.

With workforce development becoming a pressing priority, this event highlights the importance of engaging with younger generations to secure the sector’s future. The proportion of under-35s involved in the industry has risen significantly in recent years, from 19% in 2022 to 31% in 2024. Events like Schools Into Stadia play a crucial role in sustaining this positive trend by informing young people about careers in grounds care.

Jack Langley & Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chairs, said: “We’re delighted to be able to host another Schools Into Stadia event as part of #GroundsWeek 2025. The success of the previous two events has been incredible, and we’re incredibly grateful to Wimbledon for hosting us this year. This initiative is a great opportunity to showcase the rewarding careers young people can have in the grounds management industry. We’re excited to inspire the next generation of grounds professionals and highlight the role they play in maintaining some of the UK’s most iconic spaces.”

During the event, a group of local secondary school students will experience the day-to-day responsibilities of a grounds person at the world-renowned All England Club. They will also learn about the career paths available in the grounds care sector and the impact these careers have on sports, recreation and community spaces.

Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, and GMA Board Member, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming local students to Wimbledon as part of this year’s School Into Stadia event. Initiatives such as Schools Into Stadia ensure that as an industry, we are continuing to promote pathways and careers in grounds management, which is crucial to establishing the next generation of Grounds Managers for years to come. As a year-round team of 18 Groundstaff, we are looking forward to hosting students at SW19 and teaching them how we look after our 18 Championship and 20 practice courts both in and outside of The Championships.”

#GroundsWeek, taking place from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 March 2025, celebrates the vital work of grounds staff across the UK and highlights opportunities to get involved in this rewarding profession. The week is a chance to raise awareness, share stories, and inspire the workforce of the future.

For more information about #GroundsWeek 2025 and how you can support the initiative, visit thegma.org.uk/groundsweek/.

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Talent recognised at inaugural LBEL awards

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Talent recognised at inaugural LBEL awards: Aspiring turf specialist, Martin Foster, an apprentice at Askham Bryan College, was rewarded for his learning excellence at this week’s glittering Land-based & Environment Learner Awards Ceremony.

The Land-based & Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards were launched this June by leading land-based training & qualification awarding body Lantra, and the representative body for land-based colleges and universities, Landex.

Talent recognised at inaugural LBEL awards

Talent recognised at inaugural LBEL awards

The Awards were open to apprentices, further education and higher education learners working and studying in land-based and environmental sectors between September 2021 and September 2022.

The aim is to reward top candidates in industries including agriculture and horticulture, forestry, environmental conservation, turf management, landscaping, and equine, amongst others.

These sectors face skills shortages and low levels of diversity, and both Lantra and Landex working hard to attract new blood and equip recruits with the key skills they need to succeed.

With the celebration of new talent at the LBEL Awards, it is hoped more potential entrants will recognise the various land-based industries as rewarding career choices with exciting long-term prospects.

In its inaugural year, organisers received over 120 nominations across 10 categories and a panel of industry professionals picked, where appropriate, an outstanding apprentice and an outstanding learner in each category.

This year, the judges picked just an outstanding apprentice in the Sports Turf & Greenkeeping category, Martin Foster. The oldest candidate to be nominated, the judges praised Martin for his motivation to change careers later in life and his complete passion and enthusiasm for his role.

The Awards ceremony, held at Reaseheath College on 22 November 2023, was attended by Minster of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Mark Spencer MP, celebrity farmer Adam Henson, and more than 200 guests.

On receiving the Award, sponsored by GroundsFest, from Adam Henson, Martin commented:

“I’m confident that undertaking my apprenticeship, albeit somewhat later life, has truly set me on my career path for the future. Winning this Award has reinforced that I’m actually really good at what I do, and being celebrated by so many industry professionals has certainly given my confidence a boost”.

Chair of the judging panel, and land-based business consultant, John Moverley of JMM Solutions, said he was honoured to help identify the very best of learners, like Martin, who are now making their mark on the industry.

“To keep pace with the technological and environmental challenges we face in the land-based sector, it is crucial that the skills and knowledge of the current workforce are completed with a generation of forward thinking and enthusiastic new recruits, whatever their age.

“And what better way to establish this new generation than through hands-on apprenticeships,” he added.

Commenting on the Awards and paying tribute to all the winners, host Adam Henson said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have been invited to host the very first Land-based and Environment Learner Awards. In my various roles, I’m lucky enough to encounter some amazing people who are passionate about their jobs and are a complete inspiration. Tonight was no exception. The level of enthusiasm, professionalism and passion, blew me away – a big well done to everyone”.

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Celebrating New Talent in the Land-based & Environment sector

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Celebrating New Talent in the Land-based & Environment sector: Lantra and Landex are delighted to announce that nominations for England’s inaugural Land-based & Environment Learner Awards 2023 are now open.

This exciting new Awards programme sees the two organisations working in partnership to recognise the talent, successes, and achievements of individual learners in the land-based and environment industries. They are encouraging land-based employers, colleges, private training providers and universities to recognise and promote their top candidates working in the sector by nominating them for a prestigious award.

Celebrating New Talent in the Land-based & Environment sector

Celebrating New Talent in the Land-based & Environment sector

The awards are open to individuals who were on programme on full-time or part-time Land-based and Environment courses and Apprenticeships in England between September 2021 and September 2022.

In this inaugural year, categories include Agriculture; Arboriculture; Forestry and Woodland Management; Equine and Farriery; Floristry; Landscape and Horticulture; Land-based Engineering; Animal Care and Management (includes keeper and aquarist/dog groomer); Veterinary Nursing; Environmental Conservation, Game and Wildlife; Aquaculture and Fisheries; and Sports Turf and Greenkeeping.

As well as prizes for the above categories which apply across Private Training providers, Further Education (FE), Apprenticeships Awards (Level 2-3), Higher Education (HE) and Higher Apprenticeship Awards (Level 4-7), there are also prizes for Apprentice of the Year, Inspirational Mentor/Trainer, Overall Winner and Runner Up.

Online entries are being encouraged, as the quicker and more sustainable option. However, paper copies of the nomination form are available on request. The deadline for entries is 21 July 2023.

Nominations are sought from employers, colleges, private training providers or universities by using the Online Application Form

The winners will be announced at the first prestigious awards ceremony at Reaseheath College, one of the UK’s leading land-based colleges based in Cheshire, on the 22 November 2023.

Dr David Llewellyn CBE, Lantra’s Chair of Trustees commented:

“Whilst the headlines may concentrate on the important topic of a lack of qualified individuals and skills in the land-based and environment industries, we think the equally important abilities and achievements of those thousands of learners who are dedicated to helping grow our workforce of tomorrow, are both celebrated and rewarded.

“Lantra is committed to promoting the land-based and environment sector as a great place to work and forge a fulfilling and long-term career and we’re confident that employers, colleges and learners alike will be equally keen to shine a well-deserved spotlight on our future industry stars”.

Marcus Clinton, Chair of Landex commented:

“I’m delighted these inaugural awards are taking place. There is so much amazing talent across the network of land-based colleges and universities who are doing such a great job supporting the land-based and environment sectors and employers with their workforce of tomorrow. Being able to shine a light on and recognise the hard work and achievements of our students will make for a very special evening”.

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John Deere to open doors to the talent of tomorrow

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John Deere to open doors to the talent of tomorrow: John Deere will hold an open day at its Apprentice Training Centre this May in a bid to recruit the next generation of technicians to work across its agriculture, turf and parts business.

The company’s revered and respected apprenticeship programme has been running for more than 30 years, helping more than 1,200 apprentices qualify through on-the-job practical learning alongside classroom studies.

John Deere to open doors to the talent of tomorrow

John Deere to open doors to the talent of tomorrow

The John Deere Training Centre at Upper Saxondale, near Nottingham, opened last year, providing state-of-the-art facilities where apprentices complete their two or three-year course while simultaneously working within the John Deere dealership network.

“It’s a really exciting time to be part of the agricultural and turfcare industries,” says Allan Cochran, John Deere Branch Training Manager.

“It’s a highly technical and innovative sector, which means our apprentices get to work with some of the most advanced pieces of kit in the world.

“It’s not just servicing and fixing tractors. If you want to earn while you learn and be part of a huge, global brand with a reputation for ground-breaking innovations, then a John Deere apprenticeship could be the perfect start to your career.”

John Deere to open doors to the talent of tomorrow

John Deere to open doors to the talent of tomorrow

John Deere and the scheme’s training provider, ProVQ, will provide a tour of the training centre on Wednesday 3 May and Thursday 4 May, offering those interested in becoming apprentices the chance to meet the instructors, see the facilities, learn about the John Deere brand, and hear how their careers can grow with the world’s largest manufacturer of agricultural and groundscare equipment.

Sessions will last up to two hours and will outline what John Deere can offer a prospective apprentice, the journey through the Ag Tech, Turf Tech or Parts Tech programmes, plus the John Deere career path once certified.

“This is a unique opportunity to view the learning facilities on offer and talk to those who know all about the programmes,” says Mr Cochran.

The three John Deere apprenticeship programmes include Ag Tech – focusing on agricultural machinery, Turf Tech – focusing on professional turf equipment, and Parts Tech – focusing on parts service and support.

The events are free to attend but you must pre-book a session as places are limited.

To book visit: jdapprenticeships.eventbrite.co.uk

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Time to celebrate greenkeeping talent

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Time to celebrate greenkeeping talent: If there’s ever been a time when the industry needed something to look forward to and a reason to applaud greenkeeping talent, 2021 is it. And the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards is back and the way to do just that.

2020 was a tough year and there are undoubtedly so many greenkeepers who coped stoically in the face of furlough, put in the extra mile on a reduced team, used lockdown time to further their learning or just shined in adversity.

Time to celebrate greenkeeping talent

Time to celebrate greenkeeping talent

David Cole from award sponsor and Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare says: “Think back over the last year to which of your members of staff have demonstrated their mettle whether in the actual or virtual classroom or out on the course. Let’s make sure all of those young people are recognised with a nomination, give them a chance to look back on this time and remember it for something positive.

“It was hugely disappointing not to have a competition last year, but we’re determined the 32nd Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards will be even more valued, and no one should miss out because of the unforeseen pandemic. Therefore, we’re welcoming new entries for 2021 who will join the entries from the postponed 2020 event.”

It’s important to remember that it’s not just the students who benefit from winning, their nominators do too. Not only do they receive an all-expenses paid trip abroad the following year, but the winners’ success is testament to the excellent support they receive from their employers and lecturers, who Reesink and Toro are also delighted to be able to recognise.

Entries are open now for both the main and young awards. All those who entered the 2020 competition will automatically be put forward for the 2021 awards. If someone is currently 21 and has their birthday before the next application stage, they can choose whether they would like to stay in the young group or move up to the main award.

David concludes: “For 31 years the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards have supported the brightest young professionals in the UK’s greenkeeping industry and never before has there been a cancelled event. We do not plan on that being two! If the regional stage usually in July has to be held virtually, not a problem, we’re all au fait enough with Zoom now! We are confident that the September Finals can happen in a positive and engaging format and, excitingly, at a new location, yet to be revealed.”

Both employers and lecturers can make nominations. Visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk/sgoty to find out how to make a nomination into the 2021 awards.

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