PPC123 | TRAINING AND CPD
Starting a career in pest management is exciting but it can also feel like stepping into a completely new world. There’s legislation to understand, pests to identify, equipment to use, and a huge amount of responsibility from day one. That’s exactly why at BPCA we created the Onboarding Training Programme; a structured, supportive pathway that helps new technicians build competence, confidence, and the right habits for a long, successful career.
This programme isn’t just about giving people knowledge. It’s about helping them apply that knowledge in the field, reflect on what they’ve learned, and grow into safe, capable professionals. In many ways, it forms the basis of a licence to practice; learning the theory while gaining real life experience, with the reassurance of a team behind you.
Competence first
One of the earliest requirements in the onboarding journey is completing BPCA’s Using Rodenticides Safely training course and achieving the Level 2 Award in Rodent Management.
This early qualification milestone gives new technicians the essential knowledge they need to work safely and legally, and it enables them to begin working more independently in the field.
From there, the Onboarding Programme builds steadily. New technicians learn the fundamentals of pest biology, legislation, safe working practices, and professional conduct but always with a focus on competence, not just theory.
They’re encouraged to put learning into practice straight away, supported by their organisation and guided by BPCA’s structured materials.
This approach helps technicians understand why things are done, not just how. It’s the difference between memorising information and becoming confident professionals.
A team effort
One of the most important parts of the Onboarding Programme is the support technicians receive from their mentors or line managers. BPCA designed the programme to be a team effort, because no one becomes a competent pest professional alone.
BPCA provides the structure, training, and guidance. Employers provide the coaching, encouragement, and real world context. When those two elements come together, the results are powerful.
Many organisations tell us that onboarding has strengthened their internal training culture, giving managers a clear framework to follow and new recruits a sense of belonging from day one.
“Starting a career in pest management is exciting”
Learning to learn
Every onboarding candidate builds a portfolio of their field experiences. This isn’t just a revision tool - though it certainly helps when exam time comes around.
It’s also a way of getting technicians into the habit of recording what they’ve learned, reflecting on their practice, and recognising their own progress.
This habit becomes invaluable later, when CPD becomes mandatory. By the time they’re fully qualified, technicians already see CPD as something positive; a source of learning, a way to grow, and a tool for developing their career.
In many ways, onboarding helps shift the culture around CPD from “something I have to do” to “something that helps me get better”.
How do you eat your crème egg
BPCA understands that every business – and every technician – is different. That’s why the Onboarding Programme is available in several formats:
- Framework only: A structured training path for organisations who want to deliver the training themselves
- Training only: Access to BPCA’s high quality training materials to support in house delivery
- Managed training: Access to training and monthly support from BPCA’s training team throughout the programme
- All inclusive: Training materials, monthly BPCA support, classroom training, and exam fees all bundled together.
This flexibility means organisations can choose the level of support that fits their needs, resources, and training style.
Value for money
While there is a cost to the Onboarding Programme, it has been designed to be genuinely cost effective. For most organisations, the investment equates to roughly one mouse job per week.
And because technicians are encouraged to work independently, while still being supported and supervised, that cost is quickly recouped.
In other words, onboarding doesn’t just build competence. It builds capacity. New technicians start contributing earlier, with the reassurance that they’re working safely, legally, and in line with industry best practice.
You set the pace
While the Onboarding Programme is designed to be completed within six months, BPCA knows that real life doesn’t always run to schedule.
Every candidate is different, and the programme is flexible enough to adapt. Support continues for as long as the technician needs it because the goal is competence, not speed.
Each programme ends with an online professional discussion. This isn’t a pass or fail assessment. It’s a supportive conversation that reviews the candidate’s portfolio, explores their understanding, and identifies any gaps. From there, BPCA and the employer work together to help the technician prepare for the Level 2 Award or Certificate in Pest Management.
A strong start to a strong career
The programme gives new technicians the best possible start; structured learning, real world experience, strong support, and a clear path to qualification. It helps organisations build confident, competent teams – and it helps technicians feel proud, prepared, and ready for the next step in their career.
For more details about the BPCA Onboarding Programme contact training@bpca.org.uk
Martin Rose King – Bounty Pest Control
We’ve recently put our newest technician through the BPCA Onboarding Programme, and the difference it’s made to the business has been remarkable. The structure and support meant they became confident and competent much faster than our previous onboarding process. Prior to BPCA creating an Onboarding Programme we didn't have a set structure for bringing new people into our organisation, so I confidently say it has been a game-changer for us. Because new technicians are encouraged to work independently, while still having guidance from both BPCA and our team, they start contributing real value early on. For us, the programme has been an excellent, cost effective investment.
Rob Miles – Hinton Pest Control
I changed jobs about eight months ago, so was very new to the pest control industry. The Onboarding Programme helped immensely with what I needed to know, breaking down everything so I could understand real situations, not just the theory. Having the support from all the team at Hinton Pest Control and BPCA made a huge difference and helped me gain confidence. It was honestly the best start I could have hoped for in pest management.
CASE STUDY: Starting a career in pest management with Pest Solutions
Adam Stewart, Pest Solutions, talks about his experience on the BPCA Onboarding Programme, reflecting on how, as a graduate with a technical background, he successfully transitioned into pest management through structured training and strong mentoring.
Why pest management?
After completing a BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying, the transition into pest management felt like a natural next step. A strong grounding in building pathology, environmental factors, and health and safety provided a strong technical foundation for understanding pest behaviour, access points, and risk management.
Alongside this, experience in customer service helped build my confidence in communicating clearly with clients.
The appeal of pest management lay in its blend of technical problem solving, hands on work, and the opportunity to make a visible impact on public health and property protection. Each day brings new challenges, environments, and people, ideal for someone who enjoys variety and practical application of knowledge.
Support from Pest Solutions
The structured Onboarding Programme played a major role in building early confidence. From day one, the environment felt welcoming and inclusive.
Mentoring and shadowing opportunities helped bridge the gap between theory and real world practice and provided safe, guided exposure to real jobs.
Team support created a sense of belonging and reinforced long term commitment to the role and organisation.
Support from BPCA
The BPCA learning resources stood out for their clarity and flexibility. Online modules allowed learning at a comfortable pace and pre-recorded webinars helped deepen understanding of the industry.
The training covered essential areas such as pest biology, control methods, and safety procedures in a balanced and comprehensive way.
The BPCA team were approachable and responsive whenever questions came up, making the learning experience even stronger.
Growing confidence
Although still early in the journey, I feel my confidence has grown significantly.
Technical knowledge is expanding steadily and practical experience is building through real world jobs. A strong professional support network is forming within both Pest Solutions and the wider BPCA community.
For me, the Onboarding Programme has created a solid platform for long term development in the sector.
For anyone beginning the programme my advice would be to make full use of the resources available, lean on your mentors and stay on top of your CPD from the start to build good habits.