MOUNT PLEASANT – The teeing up of career opportunities in the golf industry, including a unique golf course maintenance technician registered apprenticeship program, are a new and featured part of this year’s Michigan Golf Business Annual Conference & Vendor Fair.
Mark the calendar for the Nov. 28-30 gathering of Michigan golf course owners, operators and suppliers presented by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA) at Soaring Eagle Resort in Mount Pleasant.
“Workforce issues are significant in the golf industry and part of a solution is helping young people see the variety of opportunities that exist,” Jada Paisley, executive director of the MGCA, said. “We have 800 courses in Michigan and this year’s conference will help them present to young people the range of possible careers in the agronomic, restaurant, lodging, hospitality and tourism parts of our industry.”
The three-day event also includes keynote speaker Kraig Kann, the former Golf Channel anchor who founded Kann Advisory Group in 2016, sharing ideas for strategic marketing, communications, branding and more. Learn more about the conference and register at Michigan Golf Business & Vendor Fair (michigangca.org).
On the Wednesday, Nov. 30, conference schedule is a Career Exploration Event. The MGCA has teamed up with MI Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) to highlight the golf industry to students enrolled in ProStart Curriculum and tourism programs throughout the state. Students and job place coordinators will rotate through industry round tables and learn about the many hospitality opportunities at golf courses.
In addition, attendees will learn about the The Line Cook Kitchen Manager, Hotel Manager and Restaurant Manager Registered Apprenticeships that are available from the National Department of Labor Hospitality Sector.
A Registered Apprenticeship “Golf Course Maintenance Technician” Information Session is also part of the Wednesday calendar. Attendees will learn about the program and owners and operators are being urged to attend with their agronomy teams to learn about this exciting workforce development approach to develop talent from within. Jim Szilagyi, general manager/owner of the Lynx Golf Course will give his input on "why and how" he is utilizing this registered apprenticeship at his course.
Additionally the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Michigan Works! sources will share how they can help guide courses through the process. Learn more at Student Events - MRLA Educational Foundation (mrlaef.org).
“As a Michigan State University graduate of The School of Hospitality Business, I had no idea how many golf courses in Michigan were another option for me to consider for an internship, or career,” Paisley said. “Our Career Exploration Event with MRLA is a way for us to broaden students' options within hospitality and tourism in Pure Michigan.”
CONTACT: Call the MGCA at 800-860-8575 or visit michigangca.org. For additional information contact Jada Paisley, executive director, (517) 482-4312, jpaisley@michigangca.org.