17 April 2012 became a milestone date in SANCCOB’s history as the organization was awarded CATHSSeta Accreditation for its training programmes. The process, spearheaded by Carole Olivier (Training and Education Manager), brings SANCCOB in line with other national trainers. Members from the environmental sector have welcomed the first accredited course to be offered ‘Handling and Feeding Seabirds’ as an asset which will contribute towards the development of the career-pathing of people within the Green sector.

SANCCOB has trained thousands of volunteers, conservation officers, bird keepers, students, interns, learners, seabird monitors and employees starting as far back as 1968 - the difference is that now this training will count towards their studies.

According to Carole, ‘It was with this in mind that we started out on the journey of accreditation. Having walked many kilometres on this path, we are over the moon to have been approved by CATHSSeta. We took the long road, as our commitment to career-pathing people is at the core of our vision for the Eco-Skills Academy’.

‘The first thing we realized is that the very people who will most benefit from undergoing this training, can’t afford it, so together with our generous funders we set up a bursary scheme.’

The Handling and feeding seabirds skills programme has been made possible through the generous support of the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust.

For more information about the courses and the bursary scheme please contact Carolé Olivier, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / +27 21 557 6155