080 | Bridging the Gap: How Apprenticeships Are Rewriting Turf Careers with Ben Czyzewski

Summary: Book a Free Talent Strategy Call In this episode, Tyler is joined by Ben Czyzewski, who has been foundational in building the related instruction component of the New York State Greenskeeper Apprenticeship Program in partnership with SUNY Delhi and the New York State Department of Labor. Ben walks through his own journey from internships across the Northeast and time at Pine Valley, to a master's degree at Penn State and ultimately returning to SUNY Delhi as faculty. If you're trying to build a stronger pipeline of assistants and future leaders and you've got team members who are curious, engaged, and ready for more - this episode will help you see what's possible when education meets real-world work. What You'll Learn: How the two-year program combines full-time employment with 19 college credits What apprentices actually study: plant science, turf fundamentals, pests and pesticide applications, irrigation, first aid/CPR, and more How the January hands-on lab week in Delhi gives apprentices access to sharpening, grinding, and technical training they may never see on the job Why the program is tuition-free for employers and apprentices through state support How apprenticeships can act as a feeder into associate and bachelor's degrees, not a competitor Where Ben sees opportunities for equipment companies and industry partners to plug into the training Links: Learn More about the NYSTA Apprenticeship Program: https://nystaapprenticeship.com/