New Zealand Sports Turf Industry Training
Organisation

Training

The NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation (NZSTITO) was established in 1993 to develop and manage training programmes in the sports turf industry that are linked to the Government’s New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

The  New Zealand Qualifications Framework was introduced in 1990 to simplify the confusing number of qualifications that existed in New Zealand. The Framework spans secondary school, industry training and tertiary education and is therefore the basis for lifelong learning.

The Framework has eight levels. Level 1 is equivalent to School Certificate. Level 4 is equivalent to the level of the old Trade Certificate and Diploma in Turf Culture qualifications. Level 8 is equivalent to a postgraduate degree or diploma. The NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation has five qualifications registered on the Framework. They are:

·         National Certificate in Sports Turf (Introduction to Turf Care) at Level 3

·         National Certificate in Amenity Turf Maintenance at Level 3

·         National Certificate in Sports Turf Management at level 4

·         National Certificate in Sports Turf at level 5

·         National Diploma in Sports Turf Management at level 6

The National Certificate in Sports Turf Management Level 4, is the industry standard (trade) qualification for the golf course industry. It is a competency-based qualification involving on-job learning, correspondence assignments and attendance at a week-long block course each year for the three and a half years the programme usually takes to complete.

National Certificate in Sports Turf Management, Level 4 

There are no examinations for the National Certificate in Sports Turf Management.  Instead of examinations, a learner will need to prove to assessors that they are competent in each of the unit standards that make up the qualification. They do this by working on the job, attending block courses and by undertaking correspondence studies.

The National Certificate in Sports Turf Management qualification may be obtained in a number of different ways.

People with less than 10 years’ experience in the sports turf industry:

·         Learning on the job under the direction of a qualified Turf Manager or a NZSTITO Approved Turf Manager,and undertaking a three year part time correspondence course and attending 1 week block courses held each year in  of training.

People with 10 or more years’ experience in the sports turf industry:

·         They can apply to the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation to receive –recognition of current competency into The National Certificate in Sports Turf Management for what they already know and then complete any remaining requirements of the qualification either on the job under the direction of a Qualified Turf Manager or a NZSTITO Approved Turf Manager, and/or at block courses and/or by correspondence if applicable.

Registered units of learning that make up the National Certificate in Sports Turf Management (Level 4)

·         Demonstrate knowledge of soil properties and their effect on plant growth

·         Demonstrate knowledge of soils and fertilisers

·         Describe the characteristics and requirements of sports turf surfaces

·         Demonstrate knowledge of elementary turf botany

·         Maintain hand tools and service small engines

·         Describe the legal requirements and occupational hazards associated with tractor use

·         Check and drive a basic wheel tractor with an attached implement on flat terrain

·         Use sports turf machinery and equipment

·         Survey sports turf areas

·         Drain sports turf areas

·         Monitor and interpret weather information

·         Determine requirements for sports turf soil water management

·         Irrigate sports turf areas

·         Identify and monitor common turf pests

·         Identify common turf weeds

·         Identify common turf diseases

·         Mow sports turf areas

·         Describe nutrients and fertilisers required for turf 

·         Assess soil and plan a fertiliser programme for sports turf use

·         Fertilise sports turf areas

·         Establish a sports turf surface

·         Upgrade a sports turf root zone

·         Demonstrate knowledge of agrichemicals

·         Describe calibration and calibrate application equipment

·         Control common turf pests

·         Control common turf weeds

·         Control common turf diseases

·         Compare maintenance requirements for major sports turf surfaces and maintain sports turf areas

·         Supervise staff working on turf facilities

·         Prepare and present a budget for sports turf operations

 

National Certificate in Sports Turf Management, Level 5

 

The Level 5 Management qualification provides certification in management relevant to the turf industry.

 

Designed for people who work in management to develop their management capability and enable them to work confidently in these roles. This qualification includes initial needs assessment carried out in your workplace followed by recommended training content tailored to the individual.

It comprises a total of 70 credits, half industry specific from the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (including the new land based environmental units) and half business management from UNITEC (including the needs assessment). This qualification has a 21 month duration.

 

Tailored qualification is selected from the following content:

 

·          Environmental Management

·          Purchase Proposals

·          Event Management

·          Contract documentation

·          Strategic Product/Market Development

·          Staff Development & Management

·          Cost Management, Financial Reporting and Projections

·          Business Systems

·          Business Planning

·          Customer Relationship Management

·          Financial and Commercial Understanding

·          Staff Performance Management

 

For further information on the National Certificate in Sports Turf Management (Level 5) please contact: Kellie Rose, Training Advisor.

NZ Sports Turf ITO, P O Box 35710, Browns Bay, Auckland 0753.

Direct dial: (09) 415 0303   Mobile: 027 201 2684   Email: krose@nzstito.org.nz

 

 

 

National Diploma in Sports Turf Management

The National Diploma in Sports Turf Management is delivered by a combination of learning with the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute, Massey University, and/or other providers. People working in the sports turf industry study the unit standards that make up the National Diploma by distance learning (correspondence).

The National Diploma in Sports Turf Management (Level 6) takes approximately 2 ½ years to complete, depending on the path of study selected.

 The National Diploma in Sports Turf Management was reviewed in 2006, and again this year. The following summary outlines the changes and the process involved in achieving the Diploma.

Summary of National Diploma in Sports Turf Management

·         The qualification is made up of:

·         A small core compulsory component. (40 credits)

·         An elective component from the sports turf subfield at Level 6 or 7. (Minimum 35 credits)

·         An elective component from a wide range of fields, subfields and domains, including the sports turf subfield. (Maximum 45 credits)

·         The opportunity to gain credits from Massey University papers to contribute towards unit standards and general Diploma level credits.

·         Candidates can utilize certain credits at level 5 or above from specified areas on the framework to contribute towards the requirement for the Diploma.

·         If candidates have previously achieved a 300-Level Paper, depending on the subsequent papers selected, they may be eligible for a Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology.

Compulsory Units:

4270 – Performance test a sports turf surface

4272 – Appraise machinery requirements for a sports turf organization and present a purchase proposal

21447 – Prepare a sports turf facility to host a major event, and complete a post event evaluation

 

Plus a minimum of 35 credits from the following list:

Unit 4280 – Prepare contract documentation for sports turf work (15 credits)

Unit 4281 – Research a project of significance to the sports turf industry.

Unit 21451 – Research and evaluate design requirements for sports turf irrigation systems.

Plus a minimum (to achieve the total required 120 credits) from almost anywhere on the Framework but must be at Level 5 or above.

 

 

 

For further information on the National Diploma in Sports Turf Management (Level 6) please contact: Helen Goodwin, Training Advisor.

NZ Sports Turf ITO, P O Box 347, Palmerston North 4440.

Direct dial: (06) 355 7025   Mobile: 027 276 4888   Email: hgoodwin@nzstito.org.nz