New UHI course targets skills for jobs in nature and net zero
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A new course aimed at equipping people for a new tranche of so-called green jobs is being launched at a north Highland college.
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) says students who take the HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management course will gain the skills and knowledge to enter the fast-growing and dynamic green economy industry.
It will focus on activities such as ecology and ecosystems, species and habitat monitoring, conservation, land management and sustainable wildlife management. Case studies on peatland restoration and marine conservation will be included, with whole units on these being developed for subsequent years.
Developed by UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland – three colleges which are set to merge later this year – the course will be available to study full time or part time and students can study most of the course from anywhere in the UK with an internet connection.
There will also be study trips in Scotland which will provide an opportunity to gain unique insights into the current challenges facing conservation and wildlife managers.
Stewart Blair, UHI North Highland programme leader, said: “We have always worked closely with the rural sector and have designed this course to meet the needs of the land managers of the future.
"Talking to employers, they have highlighted the necessary skills that they require from future employees. This course will enable land managers of the future to respond to the issues of climate change and help us get to the point of net zero. Sustainable environmental care and conservation will be a key element to that journey."
Charlie Main, lecturer at UHI Outer Hebrides, added: “I am so excited to see the launch of the new Wildlife and Conservation Management HNC. With widespread declines in biodiversity, our nature and environment are starting to struggle and so to be resilient to the climate crisis we must work to address this. This means we must look to Green Job creation and upskilling the local workforce to deal with the nature crisis. This new course is aiming to do just that.”
