BASC welcomes review of habitat management course

The announcement of a review of a new T Level habitat management course is a positive result for the education of future gamekeepers and land managers, says BASC.  

The new course, Habitat Management (land and water), had been earmarked to replace the current land & wildlife technical qualifications in England from 2023.

However, BASC has remained heavily critical of the proposed content and course structure due to its lack of suitability for the game and wildlife management sectors. 

Since it was first drafted back in 2020, our team has undertaken extensive lobbying efforts, consultation responses and stakeholder engagement to initiate a re-evaluation of the T Level course. 

Most recently, a letter was sent to the secretary of state for education, the signatories for which included BASC alongside leading colleges in the sector, Natural Resources Wales and Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor). 

Appropriate and viable educational route

The Institute for Apprenticeship & Technical Education (IfATE), the organisation responsible for developing the new T Levels, said the pause and subsequent reassessment of the qualification would enable ‘further engagement with sector and employer representatives’.

In response to the announcement, Curtis Mossop, BASC head of pathways to shooting, said: “We have been engaging with IfATE and other stakeholders throughout this process and will continue our support to find a resolution. Our goal is to ensure that all land-based students have an appropriate and viable educational route for the future and our sector’s employment and progression routes are maintained.”

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