Pera Training, the UK’s leading provider of pre-employment training and Apprenticeships, has today announced that it is to partner with the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) to offer a new Apprenticeship aimed exclusively at 16-24 year olds not currently in full-time education.
The new Apprenticeship will allow PGA members in England to access the government’s Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) of up to £1500 to help meet the expenses of employing an apprentice.
Commenting on the launch of the new Apprenticeship scheme, Chief Executive of Pera Training, Richard Grice, explained:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the PGA in delivering this exciting new Apprenticeship programme. The programme itself helps to reflect the diversity of opportunities that apprenticeships can provide. It is essential that the general public appreciates the enormous potential Apprenticeships and other forms of vocational training offer to the British economy and the support that they can provide to make sure that Britain remains ahead in the global race.”
Dr Kyle Phillpots, Joint Chief Operating Officer and Director of Education and Career Development commented:
"This scheme will give the Apprentice the chance to learn valuable skills before enrolling on the PGA Training Programme. It's a win for the PGA Professional, the golf club and the Apprentice."
Karen Woodward, Divisional Apprenticeships Director at the National Apprenticeship Service said:
“This fantastic new programme is another great example of what can be achieved by bringing partners together to offer new career opportunities for young people.
The Apprenticeship will provide in-depth knowledge on the key aspects of today’s golfing business, including: team work, customer service, selling specialist golfing products, displaying stock to attract interest and engage the customer, promotional campaigns, processing payments and demonstrating specialist products. Pera Training will be using the Level 2 (Intermediate) Diploma in Retail Skills to underpin the learning programme.
The Intermediate Apprenticeship programme will take 12 months to complete; upon which the apprentice will be able to undertake a full range of duties in the golf business in a wide range of circumstances appropriate to their job.
The £1500 grant for which PGA members can apply can be used in whatever way the PGA Professional wishes, further local funding initiatives may also apply. However, the apprentice must be paid at least the minimum Apprentice wage for their age.
This grant is specifically for PGA members who are committed to helping develop young people by investing in practical skills development which will ensure that they have the skilled staff they need to take full advantage when we emerge from the recession.
At the end of the Intermediate Apprenticeship, apprentices will be given the opportunity to progress to a Level 3 (Advanced) Apprenticeship programme. Once both programmes have been completed, those apprentices with appropriate ‘other’ skills such as a golf handicap will be eligible to apply for begin the PGA Foundation Degree in Professional Golf. This programme will be a natural progression from the apprenticeship which provides structured training and a career path for the juniors who join at just 16.
Further details about the Apprenticeship programme, the eligibility criteria and Pera Training can be found by following the link below:
