After September 2005 with the launch of the new BASIS POWER (Protection of Water, the Environment and Recommendations) course, the BASIS Amenity Pest Management Qualification ceased to exist.
In September 2006 BASIS launched their new BETA Amenity Horticulture course, BETA stands for Biodiversity and Environmental Training for Advisors.
Both of the above courses were launched at SALTEX from our stand, see the News page.
To complement our range of pesticides courses for NPTC certification, we now offer these two specialist courses leading to a certificate from BASIS, the British Agrochemicals Standards Inspection Scheme. Both courses offer BASIS CPD points for members of the BASIS Professional Register and if required can also be used for NRoSO (National Register of Sprayer Operators) CPD points, please ask for details. Enquiries
Ian Gower, the Principal Instructor on both courses, is a BASIS Approved Instructor as well as a Member of the BASIS Professional Register. He is also the Amenity Horticulture Representative on the BASIS Professional Matters Committee.
Course Details
This course is aimed at supervisors and managers of people using pesticides. It serves as a useful update whilst also discussing the actual pesticides and their application.
Courses are held on different sites dependant on demand. They may also be held on your own site for a group of people if required. Enquiries. The course is of 3 days duration. A multiple-choice assessment will be held during the afternoon on the final day.
The syllabus of the course comprises six modules but candidates will study only 5 depending on their work background. Please see below. Modules 1 to 4 are common to both Agriculture and Amenity Horticulture. Candidates will then choose module 5 or 6 depending on their interest or occupation.
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Module 1. Control of Weeds and Pests
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Module 2. Recommendations for Pesticide use
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Module 3. Safe Application of Pesticides
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Module 4. Protection of Surface and Ground Water
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Module 5. Environmental Impact and Best Practice Targets for Agriculture
or
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Module 6. Environmental Impact and Best Practice Targets for Amenity
The course framework and syllabus content is to prepare contract specifiers, managers and supervisors of spray operators to be aware of what is involved in pesticide use and the issues of control needed for safe and environmentally caring outcomes. Managers and foremen involved in agriculture will receive tuition for modules 1 to 5 inclusive. Contract specifiers, supervisors and managers involved in the Amenity industry will receive tuition for modules 1 to 4 inclusive and module 6.
The three-day course does not cover the depth of knowledge required to make pesticide recommendations but it will prepare those responsible to be able to implement safely the recommendations made by an individual holding the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection.
Equally, the certificate, once attained, will not qualify the holder to be a certificated spray operator. Those applying pesticides must be NPTC qualified (PA1, PA2 etc), (or exempt by age if born before 31 December 1964, unless providing a commercial service) and should be a member of NRoSO. The POWER course and qualification covers the knowledge required to properly supervise and understand pesticide use and application. It is recognised that some candidates may well be PA certificated by the NPTC prior to attending the POWER course and as such can act as a useful refresher course.
The POWER qualification and certificate is conducted jointly by BASIS and NPTC, with NPTC as the awarding body accredited by QCA and BASIS setting the standards for assessment. The Certificate of Competence awarded to those who pass will carry both the BASIS and NPTC marks of recognition for attainment. Also, an ID card with photograph of the candidate will be issued to those who attain the POWER qualification.
Cost:
3 days (including assessment) from £400 per person.
Group rates at a discount. For dates and further
information contact Enquiries or to download
a course booklet from the BASIS website click
here.
The use of pesticides in Parks, Golf Courses, Sports Turf, Horticulture, Hard Surface and other Amenity areas is a significant part of overall UK pesticide use. There is a wide scope for employers and employees to improve their knowledge of environmental management and help improve the biodiversity of the amenity landscape.
The BETA Amenity Horticulture course and examination is 2½ days in total and is specifically put together for:
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Parks and sports ground managers
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Golf course managers
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Contract specifiers and managers
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Horticultural enterprise managers
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Local authority amenity managers
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Supervisors / managers responsible for pesticide application
This BETA course is designed to compliment and add to the knowledge of those who already hold either the BASIS Field, Sales and Technical Staff qualification, the Amenity Pest Management certificate or the POWER certificate. It is also applicable to many other people who may not be BASIS qualified but who none the less, may have other qualifications which are suitable for entry to the BETA Amenity Horticulture course. Please contact Ian Gower for further information.
The syllabus of the course comprises of four modules:
Protecting Biodiversity in Amenity areas
Environmental Information Sheets
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Water management
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Amenity Horticulture Management Plan for pesticides use
Courses are held on different sites dependant on demand. They may also be held on your own site for a group of people if required. Enquiries. The course is of 2½ days duration. A multiple-choice assessment will be held during the morning of the final day.
Cost:
2½ days (including assessment) from £400 per person.
Group rates at a discount. For dates and further information
contact Ian Gower
or to download a course booklet from the BASIS website click
here.
