Contractor Training

Objective 2

Status
In Progress

This programme will increase the number of groundwork operatives (contractors & public sector) who are skilled, confident and experienced in undertaking habitat management, with the end goal of climate adaptation or mitigation.

2C_Black Devon Socials Post Feb 2025.jpg — The first of our contractor training sessions took place at RSPB Black Devon Wetlands. Participants learned about the work that has taken place at the reserve to ensure valuable habitat for nature and biodiversity.

The success of Scotland's response to climate change will depend on how land and habitats are managed - in terms of adapting to impacts and achieving net zero.

However, recent research by NatureScot has found that the workforce needed to implement nature-based solutions is currently insufficient in number, skills, and training. This is also reflected in real-life experience of land managers within the Inner Forth, when they have to procure contractors for work at key habitats, and have challenges finding suitable service providers with experience.

Tackling these 'skills gaps' will be key to realising the opportunities and co-benefits that can come from adapting to climate change. This activity pilots a way to address this gap by offering a free practical skills training programme.

This programme will include a series of short toolbox talks, as well as a number of half-day training sessions delivered over three years.

In the first few months of 2025, we have held two Contractor Skills Training Sessions - one at RSPB Black Devon Wetlands and one at Rannoch Park in Grangemouth. Keep an eye out on our events calendar HERE for the next sessions later on in 2025.

Toby Wilson, Senior Conservation Officer for RSPB Scotland, leads the group in a training session about Black Devon Wetlands recent habitat works.

Blue skies at Black Devon Wetlands, for the first of our Contractor Training sessions.

Get Involved

If you or your staff team would like to take part in this training, keep an eye on this page and on the Get Involved section of our website.

Project Location

Funded by

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