The AGCSA Accreditation Programme

In the late 1990’s the AGCSA introduced the AGCSA Accreditation Programme (AAP) or Continual Professional Development (CPD) Program to encourage golf course Superintendents to undertake continual training throughout their careers and thereby promote the position of Superintendent as a highly skilled and professional role.

 

For current AGCSA Members, check your Accreditation Program (CPD) activity here

 

In recent times, more demands are being made of turf professionals and the role of a modern golf course superintendent goes well beyond just daily course maintenance. Once unheard of terms such as annual programmes, strategic plans, budgets, financial planning, environmental and OH&S management are now common within our industry.  With the increasing complexities and responsibilities of golf course and turf management the AGCSA Board have made some changes to the AAP to reflect the improved professionalism of our members and to highlight the increasing need for ongoing education. The AGCSA Accreditation Program aims to:

  • Promote the profession

  • Build a culture of career long training

  • Reward those that achieve a high industry standard and actively stay updated

  • Give program members ‘an edge’ when negotiating pay rates or seeking employment

  • Give clubs a clear choice when employing course maintenance staff

 

Programme Eligibility

The AGCSA Accreditation Programme can be joined by any AGCSA member who is currently employed as a:

  • Golf course Superintendent

  • Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

  • Sportsturf Manager, Facility or Grounds Manager/Curator

 

Applications to join the AAP must be made in writing to the AGCSA and include:

  • Proof of completion of Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf) - Superintendents or Assistants who have not completed the minimum formal education requirement of Certificate III in Horticulture (Turf) need to submit details of any further education they have attended and proof of 15 years continuous employment in the Turf Industry.

  • Proof of 3 years continued employment as a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent or Sportsturf Manager, Facilities/Grounds Manager.

  • AGCSA Membership number.

 

How the AAP works

Continuing Education Points will be used to describe the unit of measure by which AGCSA Accreditation is awarded and maintained.  Under the revised AAP there are no varying category of points.  Points will be awarded and accrued as they are earned.

Points can be earned through attending the Australian Turfgrass Conference, sanctioned education days and formal TAFE courses.  Further CEP can be collected by attending education days and workshops hosted by the various turf related or state associations or at sanctioned industry trade days.  Members who gain education at tertiary institutions, hold multiple association memberships, conduct research or trials, publish papers or articles, give professional presentations or deliver sessional teaching are also eligible to apply for additional CEP.

 

Recording

Where an educational event or initiative is organised by the AGCSA, points will automatically added to the AAP Members file. If an event/course is run by a third party either the AAP member or the event host will need to provide the AGCSA with sufficient evidence of attendance and that the course/event was of an appropriate standard before the AGCSA will award points to attendees.  Organisers of seminars, courses and trade days can apply to the AGCSA for accreditation status prior to their event.  This will enable the event to be marketed as an AGCSA accredited event meaning AAP members will only have to provide proof of attendance.

 

Reporting

  • Members of the AAP will be advised of their accreditation renewal status annually when membership subscriptions are issued or anytime upon request.

  • Members of the AAP will receive attendance certificates where continuing education points are earned at AGCSA organised events.

  • Failure to earn 30 Points over a two year period will result in the cancellation of an AAP members accredited status.

  • AAP members are asked to put in writing any objections of disputes they may have regarding their allocation of points.

  • A member can apply to have his/her status put “on hold” for medical or other personal reasons.

 

Course Credit Values

The Course Credit Chart outlines various eligible accredited activities, their point values and limits.

 

 

Register your Event

 

The AGCSA is committed to helping its members attend quality education events that are affordable, accessible and attainable.  To that end, we invite all providers of learning opportunities to submit their training session, event programme or agenda(s) to be considered for AAP Continuing Education Points.  Each application will be reviewed for its quality of content. In order to qualify for Points, a program must meet the following requirements:

  • Provide education relevant to the golf course management and/or turf profession

  • Have clearly defined learning objectives.

  • Have a minimum program length of one hour.

  • Must be non-commercial

  • Presented by an acknowledged expert or educator in the field.

  • Cannot be conducted during the Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition.

 

If approved the AGCSA will support your event by:

  • Providing a logo that can be used on your promotional materials that identifies the amount of points approved

  • List the event in the education section of the AGCSA website

  • Advertise the event in preceding weeks in our online newsletter, ‘The Cut’

  • List the event (deadline permitting) in Australian Turf Management journal

 

Applications

By submitting either of the external education application forms listed below, you are asking the AGCSA to review the events contents.  If the programme meets the AGCSA criteria your event will be approved for the selected calendar year.  Events must be reviewed annually so approval must be sought each year.

Affiliated associations and training providers should use the Affiliated Education Application Form

Companies and businesses should use the Allied Trade Application Form

Organisers of approved events need to lodge an application confirmation form which includes a copy of the official registration with the AGCSA to ensure the event is publicised and listed accurately.