T Level habitat management course review extended

A review of the new T Level habitat management course has been extended to align with a scheduled assessment of the education standards which underpin it.

BASC is working to ensure the Level 2 Underkeeper apprenticeship is also included within the review process, as to date, it has been excluded. 

T Levels are two-year technical programmes, designed with employers, to give young people the skills that industries need.

The new Habitat Management (land and water) course, was expected to replace the current land & wildlife technical qualifications in England from 2023. But, after extensive lobbying and strong criticism by BASC and other stakeholders of the syllabus, which was lacking in game and wildlife management content, we were delighted when it was announced there would be a review into the course.

Securing funding for game and wildlife courses

Initially set to be a short-term review, the re-evaluation now forms part of a bigger project which we hope will help the future of the game and wildlife management sectors.

With the funding for the current technical qualifications ending in 2025, incorporating game and wildlife management, there is a risk that no sector-agreed T Level equivalent will be approved and ready for delivery before then.

We are seeking assurance from the Department for Education that funding will remain in place for the current courses up to, and beyond, the proposed cut off in 2025.

In addition, we are also working with the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education and City & Guilds to develop a new T Level option which meets the needs of learners and our sector.

BASC’s head of education & outreach Curtis Mossop said: “Aligning the two reviews makes practical sense in that it should lead to a more streamlined outcome”.

“It is important to emphasise that game courses will continue to be offered beyond 2023 by land-based colleges through the underkeeper and countryside worker apprenticeships. However, we hope the review we’ve been pushing for will ensure the continued provision and funding for full-time game and wildlife management courses, equivalent to the current Technicals in Land and Wildlife Management, for years to come”.

BASC’s work in this area aims not only to guarantee sector jobs in future for the next generation, but also the fulfil the skills requirement, job security of college staff and the ongoing investment in college infrastructure.