We have recently updated our Professional Training Standards for Professional Ecologists Working with Bats. This interim 2nd edition aligns with Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists Good Practice Guidelines 3rd edition. This work was carried out with funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and links to work BCT have been carrying out on Earned Recognition for licensing in partnership with CIEEM and Natural England (project currently on hold).
These standards are relevant to:
✔ Individuals who are new to bat consultancy and training to work in this field
✔ Those assessing the competency of an individual working in this field
✔ Those who wish to check their own knowledge and skills against these standards
✔ Those wishing to understand the skills and knowledge required to advance to the next level of experience
The Professional Training Standards are not intended to be used as a check list to gain a licence for surveying (from the relevant SNCB) and are not an accredited system. Rather, the document is designed to raise standards in professional bat work and outline the knowledge and skills required to be a responsible ecological consultant.
Readers are encouraged to use this document as a starting point of what they need to know or be able to do and use additional resources (e.g. reference material, training courses) and practical experience to gain the required experience and knowledge.
These interim 2nd edition standards will be updated to align with the 4th edition of the good practice guidelines, which we aim to publish in spring 2021. After that, the guidelines and standards will be updated in tandem.
Listing image by Daniel Hargreaves.
