A SIX-week ‘Countryside Skills’ course will be held next month for unemployed people interested in working in the environment and countryside management sectors.

The course, which starts on Tuesday, January 10, has been developed by community interest company Running Deer and is funded through Devon County Council’s Natural Capital Challenge Fund (NCCF), which was created to stimulate the county’s post-Covid recovery.

It is one of six projects funded through the NCCF to support job and skills creation in the natural capital sector, while improving and safeguarding the county’s environment.

The course will be delivered from locations near Moretonhampstead, with some practical sessions on Dartmoor.

It will cover a number of subject areas including practical training in environmental conservation, woodland management, hand tool use and maintenance, establishing and protecting habitats, woodland and field surveys and tree planting.

Jo Winterburn, Managing Director of Running Deer, said: ‘Our Countryside Skills project is providing opportunities for so many people who are facing barriers to work, which is exactly what the Nature Capital Challenge Fund was intended for.

‘This course is enabling people to train in countryside skills and gain valuable qualifications, and it’s great to receive positive feedback that it’s giving them a purpose and drive again.’

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see these practical skills being taught in such a vital sector.

‘It’s more important than ever that our countryside and environment is well cared for and well managed.

Hopefully this Countryside Skills course can help participants to carve out a new career for themselves.

Participants in the scheme could gain qualifications in First Aid in the Workplace (Level 3), Health and Safety training (Level 2) and Chainsaw License to Practice 974 & 976.

The course times, 10am to 3pm, have been designed to coincide with timings of the regular 359 Country Bus from Exeter to Moretonhampstead for those who don’t drive.

For more information, email [email protected]