An Alternative Career

Many people would recently have been through the process of applying for colleges and universities, some with greater success than others. With the number of options that are available today, selecting the right path can be a daunting process and despite the advice given by career guidance counsellors, making the correct decision is often far more difficult than one may have imagined.

In the mad rush of today’s existence, it may be wise to consider something different, where you could learn a variety of skills that will put you in touch with nature and empower you with the ability to share that magic with others.
South Africa’s rich biodiversity, a favourable exchange rate and its sophisticated tourism infrastructure have all contributed to making it a sought after tourist destination, particularly for those wanting to experience the magic of our wildlife. This means that a career in the lodge industry or working with nature and animals is a feasible pursuit and not something done just to fill a gap year. The game lodge industry has grown significantly over the last 20 years and although this has slowed owing to the worldwide economic conditions, it is still an important component of any tourists visit to South Africa. As our exchange rate weakens against foreign currencies, so visiting local destinations also become a more attractive option for South Africans and this helps to sustain the game lodge industry.

As the Game Lodge industry formalised during the 1990’s so did the qualification and registration requirements for guides. All guides must be registered with the National Department of Tourism (DEAT) and in order to register must have a FGASA qualification or Nature conservation diploma and certain requirements need to be met.

Schalk Pretorius of Ulovane Environmental Training, who has been training guides for the Tourism Industry for over 12 years, states: “The industry is well regulated for the benefit of all parties. The skill and academic requirements ensure that recipients of guiding involvement receive a quality experience conducted in a safe manner if all the necessary obligations have been met.”

Schalk and Candice established Ulovane Training in 2005 but have been involved in training and the lodge industry over 15 years. “Once you have decided on a career in the bush, I recommend that you do some research on the training provider,” says Schalk, “it is important that they are FGASA accredited and that the courses on offer are In accordance with the FGASA requirements, especially that they are 70 days or longer.

Training environments that create a culture of conservation are preferable as this is fundamental to creating a sustainable game lodge industry. This coupled with hands on experience of solar powered camps, recycling, green principles, vehicle skills, vehicle maintenance and the opportunity to gain practical experience in a game lodge will also be of benefit.

“Our focus has been on creating an atmosphere that is applicable to a four or  five star game lodge and in order to achieve this our students live in that sort of environment for the duration of their course”, mentions Pretorius “but the difference is that they contribute to maintaining it so that a sense of ownership  becomes second nature.”

“This is further enhanced by the fact the education is outcomes based and learners are continuously responsible for the running of the activities and the camp,” says Schalk.

“We are fortunate that Ulovane is located in close proximity to Grahamstown, which means that there is easy access to Rhodes University as well as Addo Elephant National Park and the Addo Raptor and Reptile Centre for further information and learning material. We are also in the near vicinity of some of the most beautiful diverse marine areas and beaches in the Eastern Cape, in fact in South Africa, which allows us to offer a Marine Guide Specialist Course,” remarks Pretorius.

So how about the trainer? What sort of experience should they have? In Schalk’s case, he has achieved his FGASA Level 3 special knowledge and skills (SKS) in dangerous Animals & Birds as well as being a qualified FGASA Marine Guide and Tracker. He has been guiding since 1996 and has been a FGASA accredited trainer and assessor since 2001.   Many guides have achieved great success in their careers, some branching into game lodge management, photography, tour operating, the list is endless. All this, while in an environment that others pay a great deal of money to visit!   For more information, contact Ulovane Environmental Training: www.ulovane.co.za or contact Candice Pretorius on [email protected] or 083 295 3206