East Lancashire students have been learning the ropes of a career in wildlife conservation with sessions at the county’s zoo. 

Pupils from Shuttleworth College have been taking part in a series of careers sessions at Blackpool Zoo, learning what a job in conservation entails, as well as the pathway to studying for a degree in zoology.

Around 70 students mucked in at the zoo, helping to clean out and feed the elephants and giraffes, as well as feeding the penguins and training the sealions. In addition, they also learned about the work the zoo is doing to support conservation efforts for animals.

Following the two-day work experience, the students also learned about the routes to zoology careers by attending a Lancaster University webinar into Ecology and Conservation degree courses, conducting research experiments with Myerscough College and by visiting the University of Central Lancashire to hear from academics at their new Veterinary School.

The sessions, funded by Future U, aim to support school pupils to explore careers that they previously thought were out of reach or had not considered. After winning a gold award for education by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) in 2020 for its work to help students explore zoology careers, this career project was expanded to include college students as well as high school pupils.

Jessica Richmond, Senior Outreach Officer at Future U, said: “Future Zoo offered learners an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into careers, as well as experience towards gaining entry to further education and higher education courses.

“I was blown away by the dedication of learners on the programme and the work they produced which was judged by colleagues at the Zoo. We are grateful to our partners for their contribution to the programme which collectively offered a well-rounded programme for all Future Zoo participants.

“Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to staying in touch with learners to see how they progress in the future.”

Rebecca Reynolds, head of education at Blackpool Zoo, added: “It has been a great pleasure working alongside Future U on the Future Zoo programme and an incredible privilege sharing our zoo world with the students.

“Over a two-day period we have witnessed students become enthused, inspired and ignited by the possibility of working with and caring for animals. Learning through experience and having the opportunity to be close to a giraffe, elephant and other exotic species sparked an interest in the students that changed their perception of the choices available to them.

“Our evaluation has proved that this programme has an enormous impact on their sense of wellbeing and their future aspirations alongside providing them with memories which will last a lifetime.”