Further Education and Training Certificate: Nature Conservation: Natural Resource Guardianship Terrestrial SAQA ID: 63109 NQF Level 4

The successful completion of this training course will lead to the individual being a competent and well trained conservation worker, able to work on game farms and/or nature reserves or any such type of conservation organisations. The successful individual will receive a: FETC: Nature Conservation: Natural Resource Guardianship Terrestrial (NQF4) issued by CATHSSeta the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority. The program’s schedule caters for full time students enrolled at the Sondela Academy. It will also be suitable for learnerships.

Purpose

This qualification is intended for learners who are employed as conservation workers at an intermediate level. It represents an important opportunity for career advancement within the field of nature conservation for anyone employed in the industry. The functions to be performed in this capacity are carried out under a lessening degree of supervision by senior staff. At this level the conservation worker enjoys an increasing degree of autonomy in carrying out his or her daily job functions. Learners who have achieved this qualification will be able to perform a multiple set of roles and functions in order to assist with the management of a designated conservation area. Individuals qualifying against the qualification will play a supportive role in the day-to-day management of the area, knowledgeably assisting senior officials in the implementation of conservation management plans through applying natural resource guardianship principles. 

Support functions will include:

o Adapting and maintaining a staff roster. 

o Identifying and assisting in the eradication of invasive species. 

o Assisting in veld burn operations. 

o Assisting in game removal operations. 

o Assisting in the control of damage causing animals. 

o Monitoring and regulating resource harvesting. 

o Assisting in the implementation of a conservation management plan. In particular, the qualifying learner will be able to: 

o Perform field operations in support of conservation management objectives in the area of operation.

o Liaise with local communities affected by conservation management plans to meet conservation management objectives. 

o Perform operational support functions to facilitate the accomplishment of work activities.