River Ghillies guide and instruct anglers and help take care of the natural environment. They share their expert knowledge of fishing by assisting, guiding and instructing day guests and seasonal anglers. They help look after the lochs and rivers where they work, maintaining the natural environment to create quality fish habitats and easier access for anglers.
to be an experienced angler with a keen interest in fishing
good local area knowledge.
You might need to take short courses like boat handling and first aid and a driving licence will be an advantage. You’ll need the relevant certificates to do things like using strimmers and pesticides.
Salary
NB These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and the skills and experience of the employee.
Some ghillies get free or low-rent accommodation, or access to an estate vehicle.
£14,000
Typical salaries range from
£22,000
Typical Hours
At least 40 hrs a week, which may include long, irregular hours with early starts, late finishes and weekend work. Some roles are seasonal to match the fishing season, others are full time to allow for winter maintenance work.
Day to Day
Instruct and assist anglers who are new to fishing or want to improve their technique.
Give advice on casting techniques, fishing skills and appropriate tackle.
Share your knowledge of habitat, conditions and the fish to guide anglers to the best spots on the beat, either by boat or wading.
Understand and communicate the rules of the loch or river, including catch and return regulations.
Carry out tasks like maintaining equipment, servicing and repairing boats and machinery, strimming and weed cutting on banks.
Support other activities like gamekeeping or conservation.
Working Environment
Most jobs involve working outdoors in all weather conditions. Some tasks require protective clothing (PPE) like life jackets, waders and rubber boots.
Training Available
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
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.
Angling Guide opportunities and careers paths
More qualifications and experience equal better career prospects. To gain experience you may need to move between estates and fisheries. As you progress you could be promoted to a fisheries officer or a more senior river management role.
Industries
Angling Guide will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.
Fisheries Management
The popularity of angling brings lots of different opportunities to work in both wild and managed fisheries.
The industry needs enthusiastic, skilled workers to help protect and restore our rivers and fisheries and grapple with issues like climate change, pollution, overfishing, catchment management and changing freshwater habitats.
Jobs in fisheries management involve looking after wild fish stocks and their freshwater habitats, as well as working in commercial stocked fisheries.
Day-to-day tasks might include monitoring and surveying, managing fishery habitats, investigating fish health and stock levels, maintaining water quality, or doing technical project work. If you like working with the public then there are lots of opportunities to share your knowledge of sustainable fishing, or you may even get the chance to help enforce regulations to protect fishing and its habitats.
There is estimated to be over 3 million recreational anglers in the UK
Fish are a good indicator of river ecosystem health as well as supporting recreational and commercial fisheries
Recreational coarse and game fishing is a major tourism activity, providing direct financial benefits to local economies with almost all the spends going directly into the local community
It is estimated that more than 150,000 people participate in an angling activity each year in the Republic of Ireland, contributing a significant amount to tourism and recreation economies
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.
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About Apprenticeships
Work, earn and learn
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.
Apprenticeships in England
During an apprenticeship, you’ll be assessed regularly to make sure you’re gaining the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need. At the end of the apprenticeship, an End Point Assessment (EPA) will check you’re fully competent. EPAs are carried out by an independent organisation and will include a practical skills demonstration and discussion.
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:
someone who is just starting their career
someone who already has a job and wants to move forward in their company
someone who already has a job and wants to retrain to make a career change.
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.
Benefits of an Apprenticeship
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:
workplace experience and skills development
a nationally recognised qualification
employee benefits and a wage
no student loans or tuition fees
contact with industry professionals.
Vacancies
Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.
Not quite sure if an apprenticeship is right for you? If you’re not ready for an apprenticeship, T Levels and Traineeships can be a great alternative.
What are T Levels?
T Levels are an alternative to A Levels – a two-year course for 16-18 year olds. Created alongside employers, they combine classroom learning with an industry placement and are a great way to prepare for work, further training or study. If you’re not quite ready for a T Level, the T Level Transition Programme is a 1-year post-GCSE course designed to prepare you for your chosen route. T Levels are available in Agriculture, Land Management and Production from September 2023, and in Animal Care and Management from September 2024.
Traineeships are a great option if you’re between 16 and 24 and don’t yet have the skills or experience to take on a job or apprenticeship. In a Traineeship, you complete an unpaid work placement alongside a training course to develop your skills. Traineeships last from six weeks to a year, though most last around six months.
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:
Further Education
16 – 19:
You won't have to pay any course fees if you're staying on in education or training at a school, college, or with a training provider, and you're under the age of 19 – please contact the training provider for more information.
Advanced Learner Loans are available to help with the cost of a course at college or training provider in England if you are over 19 and studying a Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualification – more information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
If you are aged 19 or over you could access a course for free to help you gain the skills you need to get the job you want – this includes some land-based Level 3 qualifications, with the government paying the course fees. To find out more including eligibility criteria, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/free-courses-for-jobs
Higher Education:
Information on loans and grants available to undergraduate and postgraduate students can be found via Student Finance England https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk
Skills Hub Scotland
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
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.
Not sure what you want to do?
Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.
If we can support you with any specific information, please click the button below to get in touch.
