Ecological surveys, plant and estate maintenance and hands-on work experience; these are just some of the skills school leavers will learn when they enrol on the brand new Solihull College qualification.
Working alongside the National Trust, the College will deliver the one-year Level 2 BTEC Diploma in Countryside and the Environment, aimed at those who are green-fingered and keen to work outdoors.
This new qualification will use the whole of the College’s Land-based facility; the popular and vast Animal Care centre and the historic walled gardens at the Blossomfield Campus, which are well-maintained by the College’s Horticulture students. This is the perfect opportunity to combine an interest in wildlife and animals with the environment.
Alistair Fraser, tutor for the new course at the College comments: “We are really pleased to be offering this new qualification to school leavers from September and are delighted that the National Trust will be involved to offer both their expertise and vocational experience on real working sites. Conservation is such an integral part of both areas of the land and animal management school, and so it is great to integrate the two disciplines with this exciting new offer”.
The course will be split between onsite theory and practical lessons, including offsite visits to National Trust sites across the region. On successful completion of this course, students can progress onto the Level 3 qualification or seek an apprenticeship or employment. Suitable careers within this sector include countryside ranger/warden, parks ranger, wildlife or environmental education officer and rural tourism.
Dee Whittle is Green Academies Project Manager at the National Trust and will be helping to deliver the College qualification, she comments: “??We are excited to be working with Solihull College again this year supporting the delivery of the new diploma. Students will get the chance to work alongside experienced National Trust Rangers to complete Conservation Projects on real working sites. Our aim is that students will not only get the chance to see first-hand what working in this broad sector can be like but also start to build up important local networks that could help them find opportunities for volunteering or employment in the future”.?
To find out more about this new qualification at Solihull College please visit www.solihull.ac.uk/ country and environment diploma or call 0121 678 7000.
