PPC121 | TRAINING

In this article, Karen Dawes, BPCA’s Training and Development Manager, shares how a well-structured onboarding programme can transform a new recruit’s first six months and highlights one learner’s journey through BPCA’s new Onboarding Framework.

When someone new joins the pest management industry, their first few months can make or break their confidence. A lot of what we do as employers and trainers in those early days sets the tone for the rest of their career.

At BPCA, we’ve spent years supporting technicians at every level, and one thing we hear time and again is how difficult it can be to bring a new person up to speed safely, consistently and professionally. It’s expensive, it’s time-consuming, and if the structure isn’t right, important learning can slip through the cracks.

That’s why we developed the BPCA Onboarding Framework: a practical, step-by-step structure to help members introduce new starters to the world of pest management while supporting them towards their Level 2 Award or Certificate in Pest Management. It’s been designed to make onboarding consistent, competency-based and − above all − supportive. But rather than talk theory, I want to share what it looks like in practice.

A new technician’s journey

Earlier this year, Richard Bradbury joined Hinton Pest Control, a BPCA member company, which enrolled him in our all-inclusive Onboarding Programme. From day one, Richard showed enthusiasm and a real curiosity for the job; qualities that make a huge difference in those first few weeks.

We met him for his initial review in May 2025. Even at that early stage, he had already begun his online training modules and was using every opportunity to put theory into practice. Supported by his mentors, Liz and Shaun, and backed by a company that gave him time in the working day to study, Richard progressed quickly through the programme.He told us: “The amount of support I had through the onboarding process and from my team was unbeatable. Support from BPCA was excellent.”

That support, from both employer and Association, is what we want the framework to achieve: a learning environment where new technicians feel guided, not thrown in at the deep end.

“It’s been designed to make onboarding consistent, competency-based and - above all - supportive.”

Real-world learning

 Through the programme, Richard built up a diverse portfolio of experiences. Each task was linked to the twelve practical learning outcomes set out in the framework, ensuring a balance between health and safety, pest identification, and real-world treatment work. His reflections show just how varied a pest technician’s day can be.

One week, he was carrying out burrow baiting and learning how to use grain bait effectively; the next, he was treating carpet moths and calculating the correct dilution rate for an insecticide in a pressure sprayer.

At a wasp treatment, he carried out a loft survey. He checked carefully for bats and naked flames before beginning, showing that safety and environmental awareness had already become second nature.

A visit to a poultry farm presented another challenge: disease control measures were in place due to avian flu restrictions, meaning Richard had to follow strict biosecurity rules and use PPE correctly. It’s this kind of hands-on learning that embeds professional habits for life. And then there was his now-famous “hornet incident”, the kind of story every pest professional remembers from their early days.

“Hornet mayhem!” he wrote in his reflection. “I attended a job that had been treated for wasp activity, but when we got there it turned out to be European hornets. I wasn’t kitted up, and my first mistake was tapping the wall they were in. The wall burst open, hornets rushed out and I got stung in the face! But I got the customer to safety, called for backup, and we handled it as a team. I learnt two things: never tap walls and always wear a bee suit, even during investigations.”

That kind of practical learning is exactly what the onboarding journey is designed to encourage (always wear your PPE, folks!).

Assessment and growth

 Before sitting his Level 2 examination, Richard completed an interim assessment with his BPCA assessor. It’s a chance to discuss what’s been learned so far, identify any gaps, and build confidence before the exam. The assessor noted that Richard was confident in areas such as legislation, pest biology and behaviour, and could clearly explain integrated pest management (IPM) principles.

They explored subjects where he had less hands-on experience, such as black ants, pharaoh ants, clustering flies, and feral mammals, and he received guidance on strengthening his knowledge in those areas. 

The assessor’s report summed it up perfectly: “Richard is clearly committed to becoming a professional pest controller. He has submitted many thoughtful reflections, completed all of his online learning modules, and reports feeling well supported by his employer and colleagues.”

In August 2025, just three months after starting the programme, Richard passed both his Level 2 Award in Rodent Management and his Level 2 Award in Pest Management on his first attempt.

Confidence through competence

Success in pest management isn’t just about passing exams; it’s about building competence and confidence hand in hand. Richard told us: “I feel so much more confident now. I’ve learned how to do the job properly and safely. The support I had made all the difference.”

That confidence is what we want every new technician to feel when they finish onboarding. It means they’re not only capable of handling a variety of pests, from rodents and insects to moles and birds, but also equipped to work safely, communicate effectively with clients, and think critically about their decisions on site.

Flexible options for every company

Every BPCA member operates differently, so we designed the onboarding programme to be flexible. For companies that already have strong in-house training, the framework-only option provides free access to the structure and assessment tools. Others can choose from training-only, managed onboarding, or our all-inclusive package, which combines online, tutor-led and practical training with the Level 2 qualification.

All versions use the same robust framework, which includes:

• Access to BPCA’s online learning and development platform
• Practical field-based learning outcomes
• Review meetings and progress checks
• Independent assessments to ensure readiness for the Level 2 exam.

Whichever route a company chooses, the goal is the same: to help recruits build the knowledge, skills and behaviours of a professional pest technician.

“…take a look at the BPCA Onboarding Framework. It could be the start of a journey just like Richard’s. One that turns curiosity into competence, and enthusiasm into expertise.”

The power of support

 The strongest theme running through Richard’s experience was support.

His company gave him time and encouragement to complete his studies. His mentors offered guidance in the field. And BPCA provided the structure, resources and expertise to tie it all together.

When asked if he felt more committed to his company because of that encouragement, his answer was immediate: “Yes, 100%. The support I had was unbeatable.” That’s the heart of onboarding done well. It doesn’t just teach the job - it builds loyalty, engagement and pride in the profession.

A proven pathway

For us at BPCA, Richard’s story is just one of many. Since launching the Onboarding Framework, we’ve seen new technicians across the UK grow in confidence, pass their exams and go on to successful careers with member companies.

And it’s not just about individual achievement. When companies invest in structured onboarding, they raise the bar for the whole industry. Every technician who feels supported, trained and valued becomes another ambassador for professionalism in pest management.

So if you’re welcoming a recruit soon, take a look at the BPCA Onboarding Framework. It could be the start of a journey just like Richard’s. One that turns curiosity into competence, and enthusiasm into expertise.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about the BPCA Onboarding Programmes at bpca.org.uk/onboarding or call us on +44 (0) 1332 225 113

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