Roadtown, Tortola - Over 10 persons are expected to gain a deeper knowledge of the environment as they participate in the Department of Conservation and Fisheries’ Apprentice for a Day Programme.

The five-day programme, which began yesterday, will give apprentices the opportunity to shadow Conservation and Fisheries staff members and learn more about the critical areas and responsibilities pertinent to the department.

Co-chair of Environment Month activities and coordinator of the Apprentice for a Day initiative, Mr. Joel Dore, explained the programme’s intent. “The Apprentice for the Day programme was created to give the general public a chance to experience what the Conservation and Fisheries Department is all about.  This programme gives the applicants a chance to experience the life of any officer in the department such as a marine biologist, a lifeguard, a fisheries officer and more,” Mr. Dore said.
 
Participants will gain hands-on training in four main areas specifically, coastal zone management, fisheries research and management, environmental education and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  Daily sessions will include learning objectives covering beach safety measures, Geographic Position Systems (GPS) use, map generation, protected and priority areas, fish pot and net making techniques and the capture, tagging and release of sea turtles.

The Conservation and Fisheries Department hopes that the Apprentice for a Day programme will also yield longer term benefits for both the apprentices and the department such as opportunities for career path planning and diversification, community interest in the department’s work programmes and effective indirect recruitment strategy.

The Apprentice for a Day programme is part of activities coordinated by the Conservation and Fisheries Department in observance of Environment Month.   Environment Month is being observed throughout June and concludes with the 20th annual Fisherman’s Day Celebration on Friday, July 3.