Information for employers
Workplace training and assessment
Competency based achievement
Earn while you learn
Flexible training options
Recognition of prior learning
Getting started

Information for employers

Delivering the right skills for the right results...

• Excellence in turf quality and sports turf performance
• Economy through efficient resource use
• Effective hands-on turf care
• Environmental responsibility and safety

Sports turf management is a highly specialised field! Advances in turf management technology, specialised turf equipment, environmental awareness and the ever increasing performance demands have heightened the need for specialised training of turf managers. The NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation exists to develop and manage readily accessible training programmes which are designed to meet the specialised needs of sports turf managers.

The NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation has purpose designed, government subsidised training solutions for mower operators, grounds staff, and council, contractor and sports turf facility administrators and turf managers. These include:

• Modern Apprenticeships
• Qualifications
• 'Self-select' packages (including GROWSAFE ) tailored for your staff training needs.

On site workshop delivery is available for employer customised programs.

Workplace training and assessment   

Combining understanding of turf management technology with skilled hands-on turf care to meet the unique demands of sports surfaces.

The NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation manages workplace-based training towards sports turf qualifications and training packages. This workplace based training typically combines practical 'on-job' learning and achievement with turf management theory (off-job) delivered by leading training providers.

Through 'on-job' learning and workplace assessment trainees gain credit towards National qualifications for the practical skills used on the job. This most often takes place as part of the normal workplace environment under the supervision of a Qualified Turf Manager. The NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation has a range of resources for Workplace Assessors to assist in this process.

On job learning is enhanced and reinforced through block courses with the NZ Sports Turf Institute and correspondence with The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. The National Certificate in Sports Turf Management (Level 4) is also available as a 2 year full time Polytechnic Course with Otago Polytechnic.

The National Diploma in Sports Turf Management (Levels 6 and 7) can be completed through training with Massey University and the NZ Sports Turf Institute.

Competency based achievement   

National qualifications in sports turf are 'competency based'. That means that they are achieved by being able to demonstrate competency in a range of skills covering the breadth of knowledge and ability required by managers of sports turf facilities.  These skills reflect nationally recognised turf management standards.

Earn while you learn   

You can train for qualifications while working in the industry, earning an income and gaining vital practical work experience. The NZ Sports Turf ITO accesses government subsidies from Tertiary Education Commission substantially funding the cost of this training for employees and volunteers having a training agreement in place with their employer/host organisation. This makes it a very worthwhile and economical investment, without the prospect of repaying a student loan!

Flexible training options    

Flexible training methods, 'self-select' topic combinations, 'Modern Apprenticeships' and multi level qualifications (up to degree level), provide training for all staff levels. This provides a high degree of flexibility to customise training to meet individual and employer needs.

Recognition of Prior Learning     

Trainees with greater than ten years experience in the turf industry can apply to the NZ Sports Turf ITO for Recognition of Prior Learning to receive credit into the National Certificate in Sports Turf Management (Level 4) for the knowledge and skills that they already have. The NZ Sports Turf ITO offers this 'Recognition of Prior Learning' (RPL) service and will (if appropriate) award credit into the National Certificate qualification on the basis of evidence supplied by the applicant. Information detailing the procedure to follow for RPL assessment is available from the NZ Sports Turf ITO.

Getting Started       

In order to begin training, trainees and employers enter into a Training Agreement with the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation. This specifies the nature of training to be undertaken and enables the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation to access subsidies towards the training. Training agreements enrolment forms are available from the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation. For trainees/employers enrolling in Modern Apprenticeships, the Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator will take care of this.

On receipt of enrolment materials and course fees, we will arrange for the training to take place including (where applicable) enrolment with the appropriate training provider.