KEVIN MCADAMS
Before he came to be a sports turf assessor for Myerscough College in Lancashire, Kevin McAdams had already gained over 17 years practical experience in greenkeeping, including 12½ years as head greenkeeper at The Belfry Golfcourse, Sutton Coldfield.
Whilst at the Belfry, Kevin had first hand experience in tournament preparation at a senior level..
Kevin was given the opportunity to go on a Business Interchange placement. Feeling that it would be beneficial ‘to have the opportunity to practice old skills and pick up new ones’, Kevin was keen to take up the offer of a placement and attended the Belfry for 16 days of work over various dates which fitted around his role as an assessor for Myerscough College.
Kevin’s objective on doing the placement was ‘to get hands on again’. He enjoyed working alongside students and mucking in on the basic tasks which they undertake everyday – even if it was much to his former colleague’s amusement to watch him ‘raking bunkers’ and performing the more menial tasks which, as head greenkeeper, he wouldn’t have done when working there in the past.
Kevin would heartily recommend getting involved in Business Interchange. His advice to other FE workers considering such a placement’ ‘Enjoy it, listen and learn. We in education don’t always know everything. It can be worthwhile to take time out of your regular routine and see the other side – and besides – it’s an adventure!’
To find out more about the Business Interchange programme and how your organisation can get support from Lifelong Learning UK please visit http://businessinterchange.catalystprogramme.org/ or call for 08456 025 291 for more information.