From green thumb to greenkeeper – Ellesmere College celebrates success of groundskeeper

An apprentice groundskeeper has secured a full time role after perfecting his skills tendering to the stunning grounds at a Shropshire College.

Tommy Williams, 20 from Bicton, near Shrewsbury, started as an apprentice at Ellesmere College in September 2021.

During a successful two year course, he completed online studying with Preston based Myerscough College and had a tutor visit him every six weeks.

Head Groundsman at Ellesmere College Ian Morris said: “Tommy has been a fantastic addition to the team here at Ellesmere.

“He has thrown himself into every task across our extensive site and you can see the way he developed throughout his two years.

“We are incredibly proud of Tommy, who has covered all aspects of golf course maintenance.

“We wish him every success in his new job.”

Tommy has been offered a position at Shrewsbury School in the Gardens Department.

During his Greens keeping apprenticeship he completed practical work at Ellesmere College which had been set by the tutor and his training was done in house by ground staff.

The tutor then assessed the tasks they had set during each visit – then Tommy passed a practical exam, assessed by an external person, and an online written exam.

He said: “My time at Ellesmere College has been an exciting experience from start to finish.

“I have truly developed skills not only within the trade, but also my personal skills such as communication.

“I enjoyed many different experiences during my apprenticeship such as the chance to operate machinery for processes like aeration, scarification, mowing with cylinder and rotary mowers both ride on and pedestrian, and even the opportunity to update the grounds files.

“I can say for certain that I gained not only lots of useful experience moving forward, but confidence for future steps in life.”

For more information about Ellesmere College visit www.ellesmere.com