Project details

	In August 2003 we were successful in a bid under Objective 2 (Lifelong Learning) from the European Social Fund (ESF) for 'Project Kingfisher'. The £2.2M project, 45% of which comes from the European Social Fund, will run until August 2006. Interested in becoming a trainee?
The project provides a framework for delivering environmental-sector vocational skill training within the work-place alongside experienced staff. It also included specific training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Trainees are commonly motivated by a wish to gain employment within the growing environmental sector but they often lack the vocational qualifications that can prove their competence. Traditionally individuals have worked as volunteers to gain the valuable experience they need to show on-job competence. This takes considerable time and effort and as there is no established framework for this type of education, their experiences tended to be gathered piecemeal and without formal credit. The qualifications framework provided by Project Kingfisher will give a much clearer and shorter pathway towards employment. Over the lifetime of the project the aim is to assist 72 trainees with Environmental and ICT qualifications. The project also has a number of additional outputs including: Training and Development Lead Body awards (such as NVQ Assessor qualifications); internet services and mentor support; new qualifications; progression route advice; industry specific ICT training and new support materials for career services. The project has been part funded by:

Evolution: KINGFISHER is building on the results of the following ambios projects................
In August 2001 we were successful in a bid under Objective 3 (Lifelong Learning) from the European Social Fund (ESF) for a project entitled ‘Environmental Qualifications’, or 'Project Skylark’.
The £800k programme, 45% of which came from the European Social Fund, ran until March 2003. The project provided a framework for delivering environmental-sector vocational skill training within the work-place alongside experienced staff. It also included specific training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The Project was built around a partnership of organisations: ... Ambios Ltd... Ambios NVQ... Devon Wildlife Trust... Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group... Higher Education Staff Development Agency... Ilchester Estates... Marine Biological Association... Mid Devon Community Recycling... Teignbridge District Council... Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust... Reef Research... Riviera Training Ltd... University of Exeter
Ambios was involved as a project partner in a successful application to the North East of England Regional Development Agency for a grant from their Skills Development Fund (2001-2002) - Project Curlew.
We provided project management and NVQ support to a partnership lead by the University of Newcastle Centre for Lifelong Learning and involving the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. The project provided work placed training for those wishing to begin a career in wildlife conservation management. This training was underpinned by the provision of vocational competencies from the Environmental Conservation NVQ as well as the CLAIT Information Technology qualification. The project also developed an internet resource to support learners and guide them to employment.
The Kittiwake project was funded by the South West of England Regional Development Agency from their Skills Development Fund (2000-2001). It focused on providing an internet resource for use by those involved in Coastal Zone Management around the South West of England.
Kittiwake also provided training opportunities for those wishing to gain credit for vocational competencies relevant to working with wildlife and environment within the coastal zone. The project began lobbying for a change to the existing National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Environmental Conservation to enable those involved in Coastal Zone Management to have access to a relevant qualification (at the time, the qualification did not have a pathway for Coastal Zone Managers as it was focused on terrestrial competencies). As a result of continued lobbying by Ambios, during the time of project Skylark the NVQ as revised to create a pathway for Coastal Zone Managers to achieve an entire award.
Peregrine This project was funded by the South West of England Regional Development Agency from their Skills Development Fund (1999-2000). This project sought to produce an e-learning tool (CD ROM) to encourage and check the knowledge and understanding requirements (based on marine survey methods) of the Survey Unit of Competence from the Environmental Conservation NVQ. The product was developed against a backdrop of training provision.
Buzzard This project was funded by the European Social Fund Objective 3, Lifelong Learning (1998-1999). This project was lead by the University of Exeter and Ambios provided the qualifications framework and general support to the project which sought to produce an e-learning tool to encourage and check the knowledge and understanding requirements of practical Units of Competence from the National Vocational Qualification in Environmental Conservation. The product was developed against a backdrop of training provision.

WRIScS
The Watershed-Reef Interconnectivity Scientific Studies (WRIScS, 1997 – 2002) are promoting a balance between sustainable land-use development and reef conservation in Belize, Central America. The research and capacity-building project was principally funded by the European Union [Environment in Developing Countries, B7-6200].
The initial WRIScS programme (-2001) addressed the effects of changing land-use (principally citrus and banana cultivation) on environmental conditions along the Barrier Reef, specifically investigating sediment-related effects. The reports from the project can be downloaded from the WRIScS website. In arriving at their conclusion that to date there has been minimal impact on the reef, the WRIScS team and Working Group were anxious to emphasize the need for continued monitoring of the interconnectivity between human activity in the watersheds and impacts within the coastal zone. The positive result of the study was not seen as an excuse for complacency, but rather as a guide to the focus and prioritisation of future studies of the Belize aquatic environment. Part of the 2001-2002 extension programme addressed one such potential exercise – a pilot study of the use of ocean colour satellite imagery for effective monitoring of water quality in the coastal zone.	The WRIScS project partners are: Ambios Ltd Raleigh International University of Exeter University of Plymouth Water colour is the result of the action of light on the materials suspended and dissolved in it.
The benefits to Belize (and the developing world generally) of the development of such a tool would be the daily acquisition of data relating to a range of water quality issues, covering the whole of the marine zone, and at minimal cost. The results of the pilot study were very positive, and further developmental and capacity-building work is planned for 2003-2004. For further information on this and other planned WRIScS initiatives visit www.wriscs.org