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Environmental Conservation
NVQ Level 2
Part-time
at Capel Manor, Enfield
This course is intended for those who work or wish to work in the broad area of countryside management. It is a practically based qualification providing the opportunity to acquire the skills involved in conservation and countryside recreation.
The Course
The course is run on one day per week over one academic year, but it is necessary that students obtain additional practical experience to gain the full qualification. This may be obtained through work experience or voluntary work, which can be arranged through the College. This NVQ is a unit based qualification consisting of mandatory and optional units. Each unit is certificated independently but to gain the full award you will need to complete the 3 mandatory plus 3 optional units.
Course Content
Mandatory Units
Unit CU2 Monitor and maintain health and safety
Unit CU4 Maintain environmental good practice at work
Unit CU5 Develop personal performance and maintain working relationships
Optional Units
Unit EC1 Communicate with, and care for, the public and others
Unit CU87 Carry out habitat management work
Unit EC6 Communicate environmental information
Unit EC8 Work with children during environmental activities
Unit CU24 Install, maintain and repair site furniture and structures
Unit CU86 Establish habitats
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements but it is helpful if students work in the field of conservation or have undertaken some voluntary conservation work.
You will also need good literacy and organisational skills as a comprehensive portfolio will need to be compiled.
Training and Assessment Methods
Your training will include:
- an emphasis on practical skills
- an emphasis on interpersonal and communication skills, important for working as part of a team and with the general public
- visits to a variety of contrasting woodland, freshwater and grassland habitats, nature reserves, country parks and urban greenspace sites
- working in ‘real life’ situations including our 75 hectare organic farm
There is no end of course examination. Assessment is by means of a student portfolio of evidence in which prior learning (up to a period of three years) can be included. The portfolio will include details of your practical experience, knowledge, and also photographs, documentation or other evidence which demonstrates your competence in the particular skill area. This qualification requires particular personal commitment to develop your portfolio.
Throughout the programme there will be regular portfolio reviews and elements and units can be accredited at any time providing that the evidence is
a) current (within the last 3 years)
b) sufficient to meet all the criteria for each element/unit
c) valid i.e. relevant to the element/unit
d) authentic
Qualifications Gained
The full certificate, NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation will be awarded once you've completed all the necessary units. A Certificate of Unit Credit will be awarded to students gaining one or more units which can be credited towards the full qualification.
Progression
Students may progress to NVQ Level 3 Environmental Conservation or the National Certificate in Countryside Management.
Venue and Facilities
This course takes place at Capel Manor’s main site in Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, an 18th century manor house set in 12 hectares of gardens. We have access to a wide range of urban and country parks, nature reserves and private sites, where practical work is carried out, and transport is provided by minibus.
At the College farm at Forty Hall, students are involved with ongoing project work, tree planting, hedging etc, thus enhancing the long term conservation value of the site.
Fees
Please refer to the College prospectus
Working in the Countryside
During the past twenty years the opportunities for employment in countryside and conservation work have expanded greatly. At present there is a steady demand for staff with practical countryside skills and, with changes in agriculture and a greater awareness of environmental issues, the demand is increasing.
Web ref: 010242_arb
Last updated:
18 November, 2007
For further information and how to apply please contact
the Student Registry at:
Capel Manor College
Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ
Tel: 08456 122 122
