South West Wildlife Trusts – Wild Futures
Overview of Work Based Training Activities
The Training Programmes for all training opportunities are designed to enable participants
to gain a broad range of hands-on experience that will give them the skills and confidence
to make a valuable contribution to the conservation of the natural heritage.
Practical Nature Conservation Trainees:
Nature reserve management and maintenance skills including:
 Path maintenance: cutting and surfacing, brushcutting, litter clearance.
 Access work: gate and stile construction.
 Fencing boundary repairs: hedge laying, turf banking, stock fencing.
 Habitat management: woodland, grassland, heath, reed bed management, scrub
control, tree felling, bracken management
 Installing countryside furniture such as bridges, gates and boardwalks as well as a
wide range of other activities as required by Nature Reserve Management Plans.
 Monitoring site management - conducting site integrity monitoring and recording the
effects of management work.
 Some biological survey work on the Trust’s Nature Reserves (mostly May to
September) - providing all the necessary information to support management plans
and work programmes
Public relations and Liaison
 Gain knowledge of the nature reserves.
 Assist in maintaining a good working relationship with local communities, school
groups, visitors and other agencies.
 Offer guidance and advice to the visiting public.
 Run guided walks / events.
Supervision
 Lead volunteer parties, ensuring the volunteer groups do the work well and safely.
 Supervise work experience students and visiting educational groups.
Education and Engagement Trainees
Education skills
 organising and leading environmental education activities mainly working with
school groups both on site and in the classroom
 evaluating educational work
 develop education resources
Event management skills
South West Wildlife Trusts – Wild Futures
Overview of Work Based Training Activities
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organising and leading public events – including rockpool rambles, beach cleans
and guided walks
giving talks
engaging in community involvement
Visitor Centre management skills1
 developing new interpretation material
 managing volunteers
 updating exhibits
Complementary and Transferable Skills
In addition to the specific targeted skills training described above the following
complimentary training will also be provided as part of the quarterly training programme.
Transferable Skills
Transferable skills are important to support targeted skills and help to make the individual
more effective. Knowledge and understanding of the role of IT, communications skills,
health and safety and teamwork all make work more enjoyable and rewarding.
Project management
An introduction to project management skills, designed specifically to support the role will
enable placements to manage time and resources to effectively plan and deliver their
work.
Facilitation skills
Trainees will receive training in skills that will enable them to facilitate meaningful, inclusive
meetings to enable effective decision making, develop community capacity for future
participation and empower communities to set and fulfill their objectives.
Event management
Trainees will learn how to plan and manage community events confidently and effectively,
from early planning stages through to running the event.
Group leadership and volunteer management
Trainees will gain experience in managing individuals and groups of people in an inclusive
and supportive way. This will include techniques for recruiting and motivating volunteers,
communication and management of goals and expectations, supporting teamwork, and
understanding safety considerations.
1
NB Visitor Centre skills may be practised at a Visitor Centre or through the Wildlife Festival, agricultural shows etc –
ie a sort of “mobile Visitor Centre”.