Backing the Future of Upland Stewardship: Moorland Association Sponsors Gamekeeper Apprenticeship at Craven College

Danielle Fox, Head of Land-Based Studies at Craven College

The Moorland Association is proud to sponsor the Gamekeeper Countryside Worker Apprenticeship Scheme at Craven College - an important step in supporting the next generation of land managers and ensuring the future of responsible moorland stewardship.

Our members care for over a million acres of the English uplands. That care depends on skilled individuals who understand the unique balance between conservation, wildlife management, and rural livelihoods. This apprenticeship scheme provides exactly that - a practical, hands-on route into gamekeeping and countryside management, focused on the real-world challenges of working in the uplands.

The course equips young apprentices with essential skills in habitat maintenance, predator control, pest and deer management, and the safe use of countryside tools and machinery - all vital for protecting wildlife, reducing wildfire risk, and preserving our rural heritage.

We are delighted to work with Craven College to help expand the programme, improve resources, and raise awareness of career opportunities in land-based industries. As Danielle Fox, Head of Land-based Studies at the college, rightly said: “This partnership reinforces the importance of practical, conservation-led land management and the value of traditional rural skills.”

At the Moorland Association, we know that investing in young people is investing in the long-term future of our moorlands. Skilled gamekeepers are vital to safeguarding biodiversity, tackling invasive species, and managing landscapes shaped by generations of experience and environmental knowledge.

Find out more about the Apprenticeship Scheme and how to apply