Developing theConservation Workforce

About Me

FORCES OF NATUREWhat do we ask of the

modern conservationist?

QUALIFICATIONS

02

01EXPERIENCE

03 TRAINING/CERTIFICATION

04 COMMUNICATION SKILLS

InternshipsWork Placements

Volunteering

Building Experience

PERFORMANCE ZONE

Where we demonstrate our skills, knowledge and experience

LEARNING ZONEWhere we develop

techniques, understanding and ourselves

Provide opportunities for learning

FitnessHigh and low intensity gym work

Passing, handling, footwork, evasion, defending, attacking etc

Team Training Drills

Experienced TrainerWorked with Jonny Wilkinson on drop-goal techniques

Tackle TechniqueRecently banned for 5 weeks for bad tackle, now working specifically on techniques with coach

A work placement - the perfect opportunity for consolidated experience

in both the performance and learning zones

◂ Exchange of knowledge and practice◂ A chance to develop soft skills◂ A chance to test application of theory◂ A chance to build networks◂ A chance to define career choices◂ A good work placement offer can aid

inclusion◂ Get to play Rugby like Owen Farrell

Benefit OfWork

Placements

The Ugly Side of Work Placements

UNINSPIRINGMany students across sectors

are expected to make tea and do

endless photocopying

UNPLANNEDExperiences

should be purposeful for

both the student and the

organisation

BAD FITA placement

filled with a bad fitting candidate

is a wasted opportunity

Who’s attended our placement scheme?since 2014...

From what institutions?Since 2014...

What makes an enjoyable work placement?According to our previous candidates...

VARIETYUSE OF MACHINERY

STAFF TAKING TIME TO TEACH

JUST SIMPLY LEARNINGLEARNING NEW SKILLS

How did they find out placement structure?

According to our previous candidates...

PLACEMENTS FELT VALUEDIT WAS STRUCTURED

WE FELT AN ACHIEVEMENTWE FELT INVOLVED

DAYS WERE CLEARLY PLANNED OUTA RANGE OF DIFFERENT TASKS

How do placements feel supported?According to our previous candidates...

EVERYTHING WAS WELL EXPLAINEDSTAFF WERE KNOWLEDGEABLE

WE WERE MADE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THE TEAMWE FELT HAPPY

QUESTIONS WERE ENCOURAGEDGUIDANCE FROM STAFF

Why would you recommend our placement scheme?According to our previous candidates...

WORK WAS CONSERVATION FOCUSEDIT WAS FUN

WE LEARNT NEW SKILLSIT WAS GOOD FOR OUR CAREERS

WE GAINED EXPERIENCEWE LEARNED

Placement Scheme Structure

Interview

Training

Performance

Review (extra step)

Cascading

Placement scheme - a rough guideWeek 1

Induction

Orientation

Basic training:

- Brushcutters- Hedge

trimmers- Livestock

checking- Day botany

training with expert

- Moth identification

Week 2

Independent with:

- Livestock checking

Supervised training:

- Brushcutting- Hedge

trimming- Moth

identification- Butterfly

transect- NVC Surveys

Midway Review

Week 3

Independent with:

- Moth trap- Butterfly

transect- NVC Surveys

Supervised training:

- Data input MAVIS/Living Record/BCMS

Basic training:

- Day with an expert (i.e. dragonfly ID)

Week 4

Independent with:

- Date inputting

- Brushcutting- Hedge

trimming

Delegation including:

- Report writing

- Social media- Data analysis

Handover with:

- New placements

WORK PLACEMENTTesting knowledge out

and refining choices

WORK EXPERIENCEOpportunities for 14

to 18 year olds

FORMAL LEARNINGFrom work experience, choosing a route - i.e.

HE/FE/Apprenticeship

FIRST PAID ROLE

The Natural Process

01 02 03 04

9 Benefits of offering work placements/experience 1. Existing staff can develop supervisory skills2. It won’t cost you any money3. It’s good branding/marketing for your organisation4. You get to hear a young person’s perspective on your

work/organisation5. If you are trying to outreach to a younger market - you have a

captive audience6. Existing staff could pick up some tips around IT or social media7. It’s a great recruitment strategy8. It helps your entire industry through promotions of the career

to a younger audience9. The experience helps young people to mature

Consider the impacts of your person specifications

Rocking Horses

Relevant experience

Relevant training

Appears committed, but lacking in certain soft skills which can prevent progression

Horses

Shows potential, doesn’t necessarily have training or experience, but with either or both, could easily be a winner

UnicornsRelevant experience

Relevant training

Will win races

Are magical and elusive

—Southby, K and South, J (2016)

“while volunteering is a mechanism for individuals to boost their personal, social, financial and cultural resources in order to overcome exclusion, volunteering also consumes one’s resources. This means that those with less personal and social resources are less able to volunteer and gain the associated benefits. ”

Remote Development - lessons from lockdown

Remote Development - impact and reach

University of Bristol - 31

Bournemouth University - 10

Nottingham Trent University - 3

Leeds University - 2

Sparsholt College - 4

Royal Agricultural University- 2

University of Reading - 1

University of Exeter - 1

University of Portsmouth - 1

SRUC Oatridge - 1

University of Cumbria - 1

University of Roehampton - 1

Cambridge University - 1

Greenwich University - 1

Kingston Maurward College - 1University of Sussex - 1

Bath Spa University- 2

Aberystwyth University- 2

University of Wolverhampton - 5

University of Gloucestershire - 1

Centre of Excellence - 1

University of Warwick - 1

Resources for early years careers

THANK YOUQuestions?