18 Jul Supporting Professional Development : Delivering FISC in partnership with BSBI 2024
BSG Ecology is delighted to be delivering Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) in partnership with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) for the second year. Seventeen of our Ecologists took part in our assessment days in 2023 with fourteen achieving Level 4. This year another ten ecologists from across the practice have undertaken the day-long test.
The FISC test comprises two laboratory-based tests and a field test to assess a candidate’s skill level in identifying UK plants. The lab tests include plant specimens from a range of habitats across the country and the field test requires candidates to produce a species-list for a local site under timed exam conditions. Marks for the field test are standardised against a professional-level botanist who also undertakes the test. FISCs are graded on a scale from 1 (beginner) to 5 (professional) and onto Level 6 and 7 (expert).
FISCs are becoming established as the industry standard for assessing botanical survey skills. These skills are vital for ecologists who undertake habitat survey and monitoring, habitat condition assessment for biodiversity gain work, and more specialized botanical and vegetation surveys. BSG Ecology is rolling out company-wide FISC assessment to help us provide clear evidence that our survey work is robust, appropriately resourced, and that our ecologists develop the experience and training they need to progress their ecological careers.
Results of the assessments will be available following the issuing of FISC certificates by BSBI later this year.
