Head Keepers lead and manage all activities in a larger estate’s game department. They are responsible for overseeing sporting activities, leading a team including Under Keepers, River Ghillies and Gamebird Rearers, and working with the Estate Manager on how these activities can be improved and enhanced.
Increasingly, the benefits to the environment, biodiversity, conservation, and public are seen from land management activities, and Head Keepers are asked to speak on the positive benefits of their work. They will educate and engage positively with others who use the land, such as visitors and wider public – this will improve the understanding of land and wildlife management.
Also known as: Head Gamekeeper
You'll need:
an interest in the countryside, wildlife, and natural habitats
a good level of physical fitness
a range of hands-on practical and estate maintenance skills
self-discipline and self-motivation
excellent communication skills to work with a range of people such as landowners, farm managers, shooting clients and the public
excellent organisational skills for shooting days
good team management skills
a sound understanding of health and safety issues associated with the wildlife and conservation sector
Head Keeper roles will come with free accommodation in the estate and use of suitable vehicle. You'll need a driving licence for most jobs, as well as shotgun and firearms certificates and other practical training such as using ATVs and chemicals. In order to purchase and use professional rodenticide, you will need to complete a Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) recognised qualification, such as the Level 2 Award in Rodent Management.
Over 40 hours per week as directed by the management team/owners. Head Keepers will be expected to work weekends and bank holidays as part of their client and shoot management duties. Start and finish times may vary in order to ensure efficient delivery of services and flexibility will be required in working hours to ensure the needs of the business are met.
Create, maintain, and manage habitats for a range of wildlife and gamebirds
Contribute to the protection of other wildlife
Control pests and predators that are a danger to chicks and eggs
Protect the wildlife and habitats from poachers
Oversee the gamebird rearing activities
Take charge of shooting days and ensure that enough game is available and beating teams are organised
Be involved in specific conservation projects, depending on the habitat you are managing.
Provide advice and guidance to countryside users and promote the wildlife and conservation sector
Speak to landowners, farm managers and foresters
The job will involve some heavy physical work – game teams cover large areas of land on foot or in vehicles. You'll work outdoors in all types of weather, often on your own.
Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.
Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.
Head Keepers are sought after – you may need to move to progress and lead a larger team/look after a larger estate, or you may decide to move into related roles such as conservation, countryside management or education on countryside practices.
Head Keeper will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.
Careers in wildlife management are flexible, varied and play a key role in management of the countryside.
Careers in wildlife management provide opportunity to manage the pressures that are placed in land and our wildlife. This includes managing conflicting land use, protecting wildlife and sustainable land management.
To work in this industry, you need practical skills, knowledge of the countryside and its wildlife, as well as an ability to work well with people.
If you can use your initiative, take responsibility and are prepared to work hard, this could be an incredibly rewarding career for you.
These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
To find out more about qualification levels in England please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) .
To find out more about qualification levels in Northern Ireland please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
To find out more about qualification levels in the Republic of Ireland, please visit National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland (NFQIE)
To find out more about qualification levels in Scotland please visit Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
To find out more about qualification levels in Wales please visit Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
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These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
Whether you’re just starting out in the workplace, want to upskill or are considering changing direction, Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to build your career. Apprenticeships combine work with on-the-job training, so if you want to earn as you learn, there’s an apprenticeship out there for you – you can even start an apprenticeship if you already have a degree.
Work, earn and learn – no matter where you are in your career, an apprenticeship can set you up for a bright future.
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An apprenticeship is a unique blend of work experience and study to help build the skills and knowledge you need for your career. Apprentices are employees – they have a contract, are paid and get the same benefits as everyone else. But the difference between an apprenticeship and a normal job is that apprentices are regularly released from work for training. Sometimes that’s a day a week, sometimes it’s for a longer block – it all depends on the job and the apprenticeship.
Apprentices work for all kinds of people at all kinds of stages in their lives. Most apprentices fall into one of three categories:
Previously restricted to school leavers and young people, apprenticeships are now a dynamic way of retraining people of all ages - there’s no upper age limit. The minimum age to become an apprentice is 16 and candidates can’t be in full-time education.
Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of paid work and study. They’re an exciting option for anyone who wants to gain experience, upskill or change career while working.
They offer a chance to work, learn and earn:
Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.
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British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC)
Find out more
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT)
Find out more
British Deer Society (BDS)
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Scottish Gamekeepers Association
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The National Gamekeepers Organisation (NGO)
Find out more
Thinking about your finances is important when you're looking at courses and training - different types of funding support is available depending on what type of course you're interested in and where you are located. We recommend you contact the training provider for more information on course costs and financing, but here are some links to connect you to support available:
Skills Hub Scotland is an online skill sharing marketplace creating new opportunities to learn and share skills. Wherever you are located - if you have a skill to share, or a skill to learn, Skills Hub Scotland can help.
Initially founded as a response to the Scottish Government’s CivTech 5 programme in 2020 and aiming to offer a platform for those in rural or remote locations, Skills Hub Scotland has been developed into an important sectoral resource. If you have a skill to share with others or are a training provider, list your workshop or course (all skills from all sectors are welcome). If you are a learner, use Skills Hub Scotland to search for and book a course!
STEM is an approach to learning and development that incorporates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Learning in STEM connects to Education for Sustainable Development/Learning for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals – this helps learners to understand that STEM plays a vital role in finding solutions to real world issues or challenges such as protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change. There are multiple pathways into a land-based STEM career including apprenticeships, further and higher education. This means that a career in STEM is open to everyone!
STEM Learning is the largest provider of STEM education and careers support in the UK. Their STEM Ambassadors programme sees volunteers representing a vast range of STEM-related jobs work with young people to bring STEM subjects alive through real life experiences. They help to open the doors to a world of opportunities and possibilities which come from pursuing STEM subjects and careers. To become a STEM Ambassador, you can register via the STEM Learning website: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/join-stem-ambassador-programme
Lantra have worked in collaboration with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland to create two specific UK-wide Ambassadors schemes - Forestry and Aquaculture. Through these schemes, we want to make sure that those working in forestry and aquaculture have the support materials they need to take part in STEM activities. To find out more and register for the schemes, please follow the links below:
Smart Futures helps young people in Ireland discover the STEM subjects and careers that might be right for them. Co-ordinated and managed by Science Foundation Ireland, their programme allows young people to connect with people that are working in STEM, the organisations they’re working in and what their interests and skills are.
Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.
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