Identification Trainers for the Future: Bridging the skills gap in natural history

Abstract

The Identification Trainers for the Future project has been a 3-year project developing a new model of species identification training for the Museum, while also looking at sector-related career issues, particularly methods of recruitment from non-traditional entry routes into the UK biodiversity and museums sectors. Through funding from the HLF’s Skills for the Future programme and working in partnership with the NBNT and FSC, 15 trainees have worked through 12-month long work-based traineeships with us, developing their technical skills in species identification for cryptic UK taxa and developing experience in teaching and scientific communication. This talk will look at some of the lessons learnt from the project, as well as discussing some of the ways forward for the Museum now the project is starting to draw to a close.