GAMEKEEPERS, estate managers and shoot managers looking to brush up on their skills can now apply for places on a new course which has been developed through a collaboration between the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and BASIS.

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.

Coronavirus delayed the launch of the course, which held just part of one three-day session in March before the restrictions came into force. There will be four opportunities to attend the course in 2021, all of which will be held at the GWCT Allerton Project, in Leicestershire.

Roger Draycott, director of advisory and education at the GWCT, explains why there is not better time to refresh your training:

“There has been a lot of discussion about the impact of released game in recent months. We know that when it is done well, game management can have a positive impact on the environment, and we want as many people involved in shooting to show they’re doing the right thing.

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.