11 Dec Supporting Professional Development: Providing comprehensive internal training
At BSG, we are committed to investing in the development of our people at all stages of their career. We recognise that training plays a crucial role in ensuring that all our Ecologists have the skills they need to develop as professionals and deliver work to the highest possible standard.
Internal training
For new recruits, at all levels, we provide a structured, comprehensive training programme which is delivered in their first year with us. Alongside this we offer company-wide internal training on key topics, in 2024 these included: botany, GCN district level licencing, invertebrate survey techniques, a programme of bat training and various aspects of biodiversity net gain.
This is complemented by bespoke technical training from external professionals / national experts on subjects including the legal complexities of biodiversity net gain, otter ecology and survey techniques and pine marten ecology.
In addition, further training needs and opportunities are identified through the annual review process and regular meetings with line managers and mentors. In 2024 our Ecologists attended 51 external training courses and conferences including plant identification, tree and aerial rescue certification, 4×4 training and river condition assessment amongst others.
New starter training programme
‘Consultancy skills’ is a core element of this training, and is essential in helping new staff understand the culture of the organisation. It is also key to their professional development as ecological consultants, as it is aimed at equipping them to do their job as effectively as possible. Modules covered are:
- Wildlife and Environmental Law
- Effective Communication & Project Delivery
- Business Development
- Ecological Reporting
The Consultancy Skills training is delivered as part of an initial wider training programme for new starters that covers all aspects of protected species survey, mitigation and licensing, the practicalities of biodiversity gain (including application of the UK Habs and using the Defra Metric) and how we manage data in GIS. This helps us ensure that we approach survey work, data collection and analysis consistently across the company.
Our training is delivered by BSG Ecology Directors and Principal Ecologists, all of whom have worked in the industry for many years. Some of the trainers have worked for local planning authorities, statutory nature conservation agencies, and both large and small consultancy companies, resulting in a wide range of expertise that has been drawn from in designing a training package specific to the company.
Feedback
Anonymous feedback, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the training, was obtained from new starters attending the modules in 2024. They said:
“The training programmed is extraordinarily extensive, it provides an excellent footing for new starters who may not have been trained to BSG standards in previous companies.”
“Everyone that I’ve seen lead training has been excellent at communicating information, taking time to answer questions, be supportive and encouraging. It really is a great team here across the whole practice.”