Standard setting and training organisation, BASIS, and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) have joined forces to provide the first best practice qualification of its kind for the game sector.
The BASIS Certificate in Game Management is designed to encourage best practice across the sector, while providing qualified individuals with a professional accreditation that demonstrates assurance of high standards of practice to employers, customers and the general public.
Roger Draycott, head of advisory at the GWCT, explains that the organisation will host the training courses at the GWCT Allerton Project, in Leicestershire, with the following dates available:
- 10th March >
- 7th July >
- 8th September >
- 10th November >
“There are various academic courses and apprenticeships available for gamekeepers starting out in their careers, but there’s nothing currently available for more experienced individuals.
“This qualification is tailored for all levels of gamekeeper, as well as estate managers, landowners, shoot managers and shoot captains in fact it is aimed at everyone who has responsibility for running a shoot” he says.
The three-day training course will include various modules in both practical and lecture-based sessions, covering predation control, gamebird releasing, shoot and land management, game crops and industry regulation.
Roger adds that to complete the Certificate, candidates are required to take a multiple choice and short answer exam paper at the end of the training, or the modules can be completed within a 12-month period (over three separate one-day sessions) for candidates that are unable to join for three consecutive days.
“It’s worth noting that everything from the training through to the examination have been tailored to suit those with or without an academic background. This is to ensure the qualification will be accessible to all,” he says.
Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, adds that “it will take time for individuals to become qualified, but this new Certificate is the first step in the right direction and could play a key part in securing a sustainable future for the game industry.”
The course is being run four times throughout the year, you can book your place below:
- 10th March >
- 7th July >
- 8th September >
- 10th November >
For more information call 01425 652381.
Course content:
- Predation control
- Farmland habitat management
- Woodland management
- Game crops
- Releasing game
- Game shoot management
- Self-regulation within the shooting sector
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Issued by: Hannah Wilson, Pinstone
Notes to editor:
BASIS Registration Limited:
- Offers a range of recognised qualifications for people working in the plant protection, plant nutrition and related sectors
- Operates an annual inspection scheme for more than 800 UK pesticide stores to ensure storekeeping operations present minimal risk to people and the environment
- Manages the professional registers of more than 10,000 qualified advisers in the plant protection, plant nutrition and public health pest control sectors
- Operates the Amenity Assured standard to raise and maintain good practice in the amenity and industrial pesticide sectors
- Provides a forum for industry bodies and other stakeholders to ensure how professional standards are maintained, improved and promoted
- Works closely with industry, the regulatory authorities and governments to promote and develop professional standards
BASIS is a registered charity (No. 1077006) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England (No. 1365343).