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EAST LANSING, MI–The Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA) today announced the signing of Boyne Golf’s Bay Harbor Golf Club and The Highlands at Harbor Springs, Raisin Valley Golf Club, Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center, and The Emerald Golf Course to Registered Apprenticeship Golf Course Maintenance Technician Program. The five courses join Lynx Golf Course who was the first course to sign onto the program in the June 2022.
Through the Registered Apprenticeship program, candidates will further their agronomy education, work alongside field experts to gain on-the-job learning, and gain a national credential. For employers, the Registered Apprenticeship is a proven talent pipeline solution for Michigan’s $4 billion golf industry that includes almost 800 golf courses and 60,000 workers.
“MGCA knows how important golf is to Michiganders and tourists. To keep our courses in top-notch condition, we must get more people involved in the art and science of agronomy to consider job opportunities at golf courses. This Registered Apprenticeship program opens the door to help golf courses increase their workforce and offer advanced career opportunities,” said Jada Paisley, Executive Director, Michigan Golf Course Association.
"It gives our interested team members an opportunity to develop and refine skills as golf course maintenance technicians,” said Josh Richter, Senior Vice President-Golf Operations, Boyne Resorts. “It benefits our golf courses to have multi-faceted skills to improve the quality of our turf and be able to further train other team members. We feel it is important as leaders of the golf industry in Michigan to support this program as it is helping us as well."
Jeff Hoag, General Manager, Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center added, “This is an important beginning to fill our employee needs in the agronomy area.”
Michigan’s State Apprenticeship Expansion efforts are administered by the Office of Employment & Training within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO.)
Benefits of the Registered Apprenticeship Golf Course Maintenance Technician Program include:
For Employers:
- Immediately fills job openings with motivated workers
- Starts a rapid transfer of knowledge from current to future high-value workers
- Provides flexible, customized training to ensure workers develop the right skills
- Reduces turnover—94% of apprentices stay with the employer after graduation
- Improves access to state and federal resources for talent development
- Fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace
- Improves your bottom line
For Apprentices:
- Provides high quality on-the-job and online career training supported by Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
- Mentorship led by industry professionals
- Gain Maintenance Technician skills and competencies
- Earn a progressively increasing wage while training
- Opportunities for career advancement
- Receive a nationally recognized certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor
Adam Ikamas, Executive Director, Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association said, “The need for qualified people in the golf industry is critical. The turf programs around the country are trying to keep up, but it is clear there is a more immediate need to help facilities equip their employees on staff with the information they need to grow into a more managerial position.
“This program will help fill that need for so many courses around the state that simply have no other options right now. Hopefully, this can provide an avenue for loyal and dedicated staff members or new hires with some agronomy background to further their education and possibly pursue a career in the golf industry.”
Employers Who Have Signed on to Date:
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