Skip to main content

Tell us whether you accept cookies

We use cookies to collect information about how you use this service. We use this information to make the service work as well as possible and improve this service.

Set cookie preferences

You've accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Find apprenticeship training for your apprentice

We're improving Find apprenticeship training. What do you think of this service? (opens in a new tab)

  1. Home
  2. Apprenticeship training courses
View shortlist
Apprenticeship training course

Underkeeper (level 2)

Participate in habitat management, pest and predator control and animal husbandry in support of a shooting enterprise.

Qualification level
2
Equivalent to GCSE.
Typical duration
18 months
Apprenticeship category
Agriculture, environmental and animal care
Maximum funding
£7,000
Maximum amount government will fund
for apprenticeship training.
Skills
Skills an apprentice will learn
  • Maintain good standards of health and safety, keeping self and others safe in the workplace.
  • Administer emergency first aid.
  • Use land management techniques such as burning, pesticide application, coppicing, hedgelaying, pond creation and planting.
  • Recognise and deal with common gamebird diseases through administering medication and seeking veterinary assistance as appropriate, in a speedy and timely manner.
  • Undertake the care of gundogs through identifying and treating minor injuries and ailments.
  • Use a variety of integrated methods to control pests and predators of game, including firearms, traps and poisons.
  • Identify relevant species of game, pests, predators and vegetation.
  • Use digital technology relevant to the workplace effectively, including Global Positioning Systems and the responsible use of social media.
  • Work safely and carry out risk assessments for all practical land management activities undertaken such as tree felling, hedgelaying, burning, pond creation, pesticide application and planting.
  • Select and use the appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • Carry out pre-use safety checks on ATVs, tractors, chainsaws, strimmers and brushcutters.
  • Undertake pre-use maintenance of tractors and ATVs.
  • Operate and ride/ drive tractors, both sit in and sit-astride ATVs, and with a trailer or implement.
  • Hitch a trailer and PTO driven attachments.
  • Carry out maintenance of strimmers, brushcutters and chainsaws.
  • Cross-cut timber using a chainsaw.
  • Fell and process trees up to 380mm.
  • Operate strimmers and brushcutters safely.
  • Set fox snares according to the Code of Best Practice.
  • Demonstrate safe handling and use of a rifle and a shotgun.
  • Manually handle loads safely such as moving coppiced wood, gundogs, equipment or game.
  • Care of working dogs, to include fitness, routine care and handling in the field.
  • Communicate instructions clearly to beaters/pickers and shoot guests.
  • Prepare game at the end of the shoot.
  • Capable of accurate rifle shooting.

Full information on Underkeeper (level 2) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Find training providers for this course

Apprenticeship location

Check if a provider can offer this training for the apprenticeship location.

Back to top View shortlist