Skills Bootcamps in Biodiversity Net Gain
Following the award from the Department for Education of grant funding administered by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), we are delighted to announce that we are inviting applications for our first funded ‘Skills Bootcamp in Biodiversity Net Gain’.
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and an offer of an interview with an employer upon completion.
Our Skills Bootcamps are an intensive programme of more than 60 hours of CIEEM training and additional wraparound career development support, delivered over a 16 week period this autumn / winter.
The Skills Bootcamp consists of three days in-person training in Bristol, including a residential, followed by weekly online sessions with CIEEM trainers. Participants will develop their knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), UKHab, QGIS, planning, conservation legislation, and habitat creation and monitoring, with opportunities to further their understanding of green finance or design considerations for BNG river and stream enhancement.
Between 70 – 100 % of the costs of the Skills Bootcamps, including residential accommodation, are funded by the Department for Education, depending on the employment status of participants. The remaining cost must be covered by employers to support upskilling and progression – companies with fewer than 250 employees will pay just £215 per participant, with large employers contributing £650. There are no costs for self-employed / unemployed participants. If you are a Director of a limited company who is also its employee (even if you are the only employee), and receive at least part of your income through PAYE, then you are treated as an employee, and your company needs to contribute 10 % (for SMEs) of the training costs (£215).
‘In 2023 we published research recommending that CIEEM support the development of funded Skills Bootcamps to diversify routes into ecology and environmental management and support upskilling. I’m really excited to have reached this point with the support of many employers and individuals.’ – Dr Mark Nason, Head of Professional Practice
Funding used to cover training costs is devolved to local government to meet local skills needs – this means that it is only eligible to people working in the WECA region. We will continue to look for other sources of funding to subsidise training and delivering these Skills Bootcamps successfully provides us with a model to pitch for funding elsewhere.
Who can apply?
The funding to deliver this training is part of a UK Government initiative to support people into work and help people to upskill. To be eligible to apply you must be:
- living in and / or working extensively in the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) region (and able to evidence this)
- aged over 19 with permission to work in the UK
- supported by your employer with demonstrable opportunities to progress in your career as a result of training. For self-employed individuals this could include applying learning to win or undertake new or more specialist work relating to BNG.
If you are not sure, you can check whether you are in the WECA region using this map: West of England Local Enterprise Partnership Boundary — Open Data Portal.
Our Skills Bootcamps are open to consultant and local authority ecologists, environmental managers, and other professionals associated with or with opportunities to become more involved in BNG, for example planners, landscape architects and farming advisors. You do not need to be a CIEEM member.
If you are a full-time student at 1st September 2025 then you are not eligible to apply this time.
If you are a recent graduate seeking work, if you are looking for a full-time role after seasonal survey work, or if you are seeking to change careers, then you may be eligible. You must either reside within the WECA region or have an opportunity to move there to work.
Please do contact us to discuss if you are unsure whether you may be eligible. If you are not eligible then a list of other currently available Skills Bootcamps by region is provided by the National Careers Service. We also provide advice and guidance on careers in ecology and environmental management through Green Jobs for Nature.
How to Apply
Applications are open to 15th July and shortlisted candidates and their employers (where applicable) will be invited to interview in August. Submit your application here.
Further Information
If you have any queries regarding Skills Bootcamps then please contact training@cieem.net.
CIEEM would like to thank the following employers who provided advice on the content of our Skills Bootcamps or are involved in delivery:
