Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท Agriculture & Horticulture

Sportsturf Management

A two-year apprenticeship looking after sports pitches, golf courses and racecourses. It suits outdoor people who love sport.

How apprenticeships work: you are hired by an approved employer and paid while you learn, mixing work with blocks of training in a college or training centre. You don't apply through the CAO and you don't need CAO points.

Key facts

How long
2 years
Award
NFQ Level 6 Higher Certificate in Sportsturf Management
Where you train
  • Teagasc Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny
Pay
You earn a salary from your employer while training on and off the job. The rate is agreed with your employer.
Costs
Student contribution of โ‚ฌ1,175 per year, paid over the two years.

Entry requirements

  • You must be hired by an employer approved by SOLAS
  • Full eligibility criteria are in the Sportsturf Management brochure

How to apply

You must be hired by an approved employer. Search the Apprenticeship Jobs page or contact Teagasc Kildalton College.

Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Soil science, drainage and irrigation
  • Identifying turfgrasses used in Irish sport
  • Applying plant protection products as a trained professional user
  • Sharpening and maintaining mowers and machinery
  • Working safely on sportsturf facilities

Where it can lead

  • Sportsturf technician in horseracing, golf and football
  • Progress within the sector or to higher education

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Agricultural Science, Biology, Geography

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Other Agriculture & Horticulture apprenticeships

Tertiary degrees in Agriculture

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test โ†’ Try the free 3-minute test

Information from apprenticeship.ie, checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.