Bedford College has won a national contract to
provide training for the RSPB and the next wave of
Attenboroughs.
With a £400,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the RSPB
(Europe's largest conservation charity) are offering 18
traineeships for anyone who wants a career in nature
conservation. It is the first time the RSPB has received a
major training grant and it allows the charity to run a three year
project called “Nature Counts” starting in 2011. Bedford
College was awarded the contract with RSPB to provide training from
Shuttleworth College, the nationally recognised centre of
excellence in land-based education and training.
The hands-on training placements, across the
UK, are set to fill recognized gaps in species identification and
helping people to enjoy nature. Training will be offered in either
Ecology or Visitor Services. As well as providing skills in a
specialist area, training will cover essential skills such as
giving presentations, working within budgets and planning their
future career.
Trainees based at RSPB centres across the UK
will be the first to study using Shuttleworth College's new virtual
learning environment. This will offer trainees the
opportunity to study from their RSPB work base, learn hands on
skills and tap into the expertise of experienced professionals and
specialist tutors to give an all-round learning experience.
Gina Bubbins, Business Development Team
Manager at Bedford College, said:
“The expertise on offer at Bedford and
Shuttleworth Colleges was the winning formula in gaining this
national contract. We pride ourselves in tailoring training
to the needs of employers and students and that is where virtual
learning plays a crucial part in the training for RSPB.
“It gives trainees flexibility of learning
from their RSPB work base, whilst at the same time offering them
the best in formal specialist training courses.
“We have been given a unique opportunity to
work with RSPB to provide future nature conservationists with the
skills and knowledge needed to safeguard the future of the UK's
national heritage. People will be able to kick start their
ambition to work in nature conservation and we are delighted to be
part of that.”
To find out more about traineeships with RSPB
see:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/vacancies/naturecounts.aspx