Apprenticeship training course
Underkeeper (level 2)
Participate in habitat management, pest and predator control and animal husbandry in support of a shooting enterprise.
- Qualification level
-
2
Equivalent to GCSE. - Typical duration
- 18 months
- Apprenticeship category
- Agriculture, environmental and animal care
- Maximum funding
-
£7,000
Maximum amount government will fund
for apprenticeship training. - Skills
-
Skills an apprentice will learn
- Maintain good standards of health and safety, keeping self and others safe in the workplace.
- Administer emergency first aid.
- Use land management techniques such as burning, pesticide application, coppicing, hedgelaying, pond creation and planting.
- Recognise and deal with common gamebird diseases through administering medication and seeking veterinary assistance as appropriate, in a speedy and timely manner.
- Undertake the care of gundogs through identifying and treating minor injuries and ailments.
- Use a variety of integrated methods to control pests and predators of game, including firearms, traps and poisons.
- Identify relevant species of game, pests, predators and vegetation.
- Use digital technology relevant to the workplace effectively, including Global Positioning Systems and the responsible use of social media.
- Work safely and carry out risk assessments for all practical land management activities undertaken such as tree felling, hedgelaying, burning, pond creation, pesticide application and planting.
- Select and use the appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Carry out pre-use safety checks on ATVs, tractors, chainsaws, strimmers and brushcutters.
- Undertake pre-use maintenance of tractors and ATVs.
- Operate and ride/ drive tractors, both sit in and sit-astride ATVs, and with a trailer or implement.
- Hitch a trailer and PTO driven attachments.
- Carry out maintenance of strimmers, brushcutters and chainsaws.
- Cross-cut timber using a chainsaw.
- Fell and process trees up to 380mm.
- Operate strimmers and brushcutters safely.
- Set fox snares according to the Code of Best Practice.
- Demonstrate safe handling and use of a rifle and a shotgun.
- Manually handle loads safely such as moving coppiced wood, gundogs, equipment or game.
- Care of working dogs, to include fitness, routine care and handling in the field.
- Communicate instructions clearly to beaters/pickers and shoot guests.
- Prepare game at the end of the shoot.
- Capable of accurate rifle shooting.
Full information on Underkeeper (level 2) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
Find training providers for this course
Apprenticeship location
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear Remove location