CAREERS
On World Pest Day (June 6), British Pest Control Association is highlighting careers in the industry to school leavers and students planning their next steps for September.
Pest professionals have a key role to play in protecting public health, supporting businesses and safeguarding wildlife and natural environments.
The industry offers a variety of career opportunities and specialisms, such as falconry, field biologist and product development – and BPCA members are sharing their own thoughts on careers in the industry in a new series of videos released for World Pest Day.
Ian Andrew, Chief Executive at BPCA, said: “There are many routes to a successful career in professional pest management, open to students just leaving school and awaiting exam results this summer, as well as university graduates considering their next steps.
“BPCA membership encompasses a huge range of businesses operating in domestic, commercial and industrial sectors, using specialist techniques that protect the food chain, homes, businesses, wildlife and the environment from the potentially harmful impact of a pest infestation.
Gemma Sutherland is a Graduate Service Technician with BPCA member Pest Solutions, who started her career via a graduate scheme after completing her degree in zoology.
She features in the series of videos about careers in pest management for World Pest Day.
Gemma said: “As a young person coming into the industry through the graduate scheme, it was made clear to me very quickly that this isn’t just a job but is actually a very good career path.
“There are so many opportunities within pest control and a lot of continued learning to be done.”
Ian Adamson at BPCA member Precision Consulting also features in the videos. He said: “If my careers advisor at school had mentioned it, I would’ve laughed in their face, but here I am 25 years later, loving it.
“Good pest management is crucial. Everywhere you turn you see headlines about super rats, bed bugs that can’t be killed - but I don’t believe any of that because the science says that if we do our jobs well, we can still eradicate and we can still protect the public health of the population.
Charles Murahwa at BPCA member Intercleanse Pest Control Ltd added: “The thing I like about the job is the variety of customers that I visit.
“I could be in a big food production site or grocery distribution site, down to your local shop or restaurant or café.
“I enjoy studying the processes within those businesses, from goods-in up to production, up to dispatch and how products are made. You get to understand different industries.”
Joining a BPCA member company will give you the technical knowledge and experience to apply products in an efficient manner while minimising risk to the environment and non-target species. You'll have great progression opportunities and no two days will be the same.
Keep scrolling to see our World Pest Day 2023 video series: 'Talking careers in pest management'.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Visit bpca.org.uk/careers or get in touch to find out more about careers in pest control.
START YOUR PEST CONTROL JOURNEY
Anna Mollins, PestFix:
Charles Murahwa, Intercleanse:
Gemma Sutherland, Pest Solutions:
Ian Adamson, Precision Consulting: