INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

The Opening General Session of the 2022 STMA Conference , Labor of Love : Strategies for Overcoming the Labor Shortage , will feature a panel of experts discussing the labor shortages affecting the industry . Trends that will be discussed include seasoned sports field managers pursuing positions on the commercial side , fewer young people pursing turfgrass science as a career path in college , fewer interns available to gain on-the-job experience , and the shrinking pool of qualified job candidates .

The General Session Moderator , Keith Winter , head groundskeeper for the Fort Wayne TinCaps , will lead the discussion in an interview-style format and add his own experience with difficulty finding and hiring personnel . Dr . John Sorochan , distinguished professor at University of Tennessee , will address the decreasing rate of enrollment in turfgrass science programs at the collegiate level and some strategies to attract young people to the field . Abby McNeal , CSFM , CPRP , CABI , field superintendent , City Wide Operations for Denver Parks and Recreation will discuss unique ways she has been balancing the labor shortage . Andrew Miller , program director for Brentsville Turfgrass Management Program will discuss his recruitment and retention strategies at the high school level . And Tyler Bloom , owner of Tyler Bloom Consulting , will discuss opportunities available in the industry that provide training to prepare individuals to enter the sports field management profession .

As a preview of the Opening General Session , SportsField Management recently spoke with Winter regarding labor issues .

SportsField Management ( SFM ): The labor shortage has been an ongoing issue in the sports field management industry – and many other industries . What are the biggest challenges you have experienced firsthand with regard to finding , and retaining , qualified personnel ; and / or what are you hearing from others in the industry with regard to the challenges they are facing ?

Winter : Pre-COVID , finding interested and qualified assistants , interns and game day workers was a challenge . Now it is nearly impossible ! Students coming out of university turf programs are either heading into golf or other areas related to the industry , such as commercial sales or landscaping . The hours and pay scale in professional baseball are part of the hesitancy for post-graduate candidates , but I also think there is currently a lack of a strong work ethic within this country . Sitting behind a computer or handling a smart phone is relatively easy and something “ everyone ” seems to be good at . In professional baseball , once the preconceived novelty of stepping on the field wears off , whether it be at the Major League or Minor League level , the realty of the time commitment and physical effort results in an incredibly low retention level from year to year . I talk with colleagues from around the country on a weekly basis – from all levels of Minor League and Major League Baseball – who are experiencing an identical set of circumstances .

SFM : What has been your approach with hiring ( full-time , seasonal , assistants , interns ) and retaining qualified workers , and what advice do you have for others when it comes to finding , hiring , and keeping good help ?

Winter : The resources we have used in the past ( STMA website , word of mouth , networking with fellow

22 SportsField Management | December 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com