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The Field Guide Training Course Outline
This 12-month programme itinerary is structured as follows:
1) A six-month training phase living at the premises of the college
During this phase you will attend (amongst others) a total of four SAQA registered guide courses, namely:
- The Introductory Nature Guide Course – fourteen-day course
- Advanced Nature Guide Course – ten-day course
- Introductory Tracker Course – seven-day course
- Trails Guide Course – six-day course
- Hospitality – one-day course
- Small business management – one-day course
- Archaeology course – one-day course
- First Aid – three-day course
The Tracker Course: During your study on the Trackers Course, you will learn the following:
- Principles of tracking and observing signs in nature
- Identifying and Interpreting signs in the field
- Systematic tracking (following a spoor)
- Formal assessment for FGASA, CyberTracker and THETA qualifications
The Trails Guide Course: This course covers all the theory relating to the FGASA syllabus for the Trails Guide, and learners will be assessed on the THETA Unit Standards 8459 (View Potentially Dangerous Animals) and 10750 (Handle a Rifle). During this time, you will be exposed to extensive practical and theoretical experience in a biologically rich area.
Nature Guide Course: In general, the main topics and skills you will learn during your Nature Guide Placement will include such skills as nature guiding, geology and ecology, plant and animal studies and the night sky and climatology. You will also learn how to handle your 4X4 & gain tips on vehicle maintenance and bush camping and survival.
2) Practical Training
During this six-month period, before, after and between courses, you will also be exposed to a structured programme of practical experiential training under the constant guidance of a full-time facilitator, and will receive credits for five practical wildlife management competencies. During this time, you will cover the areas relating to nature conservation, such as combating problem plants and soil erosion, identifying and monitoring local wildlife and basic research activities.
This practical training will include, but is not restricted to the following:
General Reserve Management: It is essential for any person working in the natural environment of Africa to acquire certain skills that will be needed in their daily reserve lives. These tasks form an essential part of the work of a Game Ranger, and include the following:
- Patrolling
- Game Counts and Field Research
- Game Capture
- Erosion and Dangerous Plant Control
- Fence Maintenance
- Water point Maintenance
- Road Maintenance
- 4x4 Vehicle Maintenance and Handling
Field Research: To manage any eco-system effectively it is essential to understand the various facets involved and how they fit together. You will partake in a number of Research projects, which include collection tchniques of plants, insects and vertebrates etc, herbarium preparations and animal taxonomy.
Credits: In terms of the experiential training programme in the first six months, you will also receive a number of credits for the SAQA registered Unit Standards listed below. These are as follows:
- Combat problem plants - 3 Credits
- Combat soil erosion - 2 Credits
- Collect field specimens - 2 Credits
- Carry out harvesting of fauna - 3 Credits
- Identify and monitor local wildlife - 8 Credits
- Erect and maintain wildlife fencing - 4 Credits
- Do basic research - 4 Credits
3) Your Six Months Internship And Work Experience
Successful learners from the college are placed at one of the many top game lodges for a period of six months to gain practical work experience, to add to your qualifications, confidence and job opportunities for the future. You may also be rotated between lodges on a 3-monthly cycle in order to increase your exposure.
This lodge placement provides an excellent opportunity for you to gain experience and will greatly enhance the possibility of placement in a quality position after completion of the programme. The lodges will supply free accommodation and meals throughout your stay.
Please note: The Course planning is not cast in stone! It is however a general outline along which the programme will be conducted. This course is as dynamic as the environment they operate in. During the programme other opportunities to gain experience may arise, such as Wildlife Capture and Translocation, Tourist Guiding on the Reserve, Archaeological Investigations etc. The programme is kept flexible so that we can make the most of every opportunity that presents itself.
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