<strong>Q) I go beating and help out on a shoot, and I would like to have a career as a gamekeeper. However, I am finding it difficult to come across anyone who would be prepared to take me on and give me a chance to enter the profession. I am 18; I have my own transport, a shotgun certificate and a good gundog; and I am willing to move anywhere. Can you offer me any advice? P. WALDO Powys</strong>
Would you like to speak to our readers? We offer sponsored articles and advertising to put you in front of our audience. Find out more.A) I assume you have recently left school and are now thinking in terms of a modern apprenticeship? If this is the case, then search out your local agricultural college and see if they run any gamekeeping courses. If they do not, look further afield.
My local college, Walford and North Shropshire College, covers a large area and offers block release for gamekeeping students who live and work too far away to do any day-release for their ?off the job? training and NVQ paperwork. While many colleges are able to help with placements and put students in touch with potential employers, it would pay you to keep networking with shooting friends, and searching the situations vacant columns of sporting magazines such as Shooting Times. It may not be the easiest profession to get started in, but persistence will pay off.
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