Edinburgh Zoo

Never work with animals’ the saying goes, but to the staff of Edinburgh Zoo, it’s all in a day’s work.  

Edinburgh Zoo is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions, and ranks a close second to the capital’s most dominating landmark, Edinburgh Castle. The staff at the zoo pride themselves in the attraction’s reputation for excellence as a world class tourism destination, which comfortably attracts in excess of 500,000 visitors each year.  

At 90 years old, Edinburgh Zoo is undeniably a national asset, but it is by no means resting on its laurels. The progressive management team at the zoo has ensured that Scotland’s premier animal attraction remains at the forefront of Scotland’s tourism industry, and has introduced a series of specialist training for staff, supported by learndirect scotland.  

Edinburgh Zoo has engaged 18 of its key staff members on a 10 week training course to gain their European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualification, with the aim of building on its established success and keeping one step ahead of competing visitor destinations across Scotland.  

Employees from a variety of posts started the course in the last few months, ranging from gardens manager, catering workers, store keeper, research officer and the animal registrar.  

Charlotte Macdonald, the zoo research officer, recently completed the course. She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed learning about IT and am delighted to have gained a recognised qualification in computing skills.  

“The course itself was designed in such a way that was convenient for all the staff to use – no matter what position or shifts they have to work.  Access to our respective individual learning software enabled me to complete the course at my own pace and at times that suited my working week.”  

The business has 170 core employees which rises to almost 300 when seasonal and volunteer staff are taken into account during the summer months. Judith Auld, head of human resources at Edinburgh Zoo, recognises how vital staff training is to the continued success and development of the business as a top tourism destination.  

Judith said: “Over the course of the next 20 years, the Zoo is set to embark on an ambitious masterplan which will see the business evolve into a truly modern facility of world class standards. In order that we achieve our goals, it is paramount that we have an efficient staff with the essential core skills to drive the business forward.  

“Our mission is to inspire and excite our visitors with the wonder of living animals, and so to promote the conservation of threatened species and habitats. As a business however, the challenge for the Zoo is to support conservation activities through operating a popular visitor attraction.  

“In order to achieve this, we have to be customer focused in all that we do. As such, we recognise the importance of training to the continued success and development of the Zoo. This individual computer-based training has provided us with the ideal vehicle to up-skill our staff efficiently and cost effectively, adding value to the staff we employ and ultimately furthering the development of the Zoo as a commercial organisation.”  

The 18 staff of the Zoo have been attending their local learndirect scotland learning centre, Rewards Training Consultancy in central Edinburgh, for one afternoon a week, and learners are supported at all times by the learning centre staff.  

Frank Pignatelli, chief executive of learndirect scotland, said: “Edinburgh Zoo is a great example of an organisation committed to training for the benefits of its staff and the continued development of the organisation’s business model.  

“Finding the right training for businesses across different sectors, at the right place and time, can be confusing, time-consuming and ultimately off-putting. Our experience shows that many employers would like to offer more training and development but, in reality, countless other pressing tasks get in the way.  

“Our key aim is simply to help employers to understand, source and access the training needed to take their business forward.  In short, let us do the legwork, so you can get on with what you do best – running your business.”  

Alistair Fenton, management and personal development consultant at Rewards, said: “This computer based learning model provided by learndirect scotland is just one of a number of learning and development tools undertaken by the Zoo with Rewards.  

“As with all our clients, we are anxious to assist them meet their corporate, departmental and individual aims and objectives. Our learndirect scotland branded learning centre status allows us access to a whole spectrum of learning and goes a long way to helping us realise our client’s needs.”  

The Zoo has already successfully completed a three month management training programme delivered by Rewards and has experience positive feedback from staff currently working to achieve their ECDL qualification.  

The Zoo has increased its training and development budget this year by a considerable 25%, giving an indication of the importance it attaches to staff development and training. In the long term, the organisation plans to introduce a programme of learning initiatives targeting a range of identified training needs for the years ahead.  

The continued success of Edinburgh Zoo as one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions is testimony to the benefits of investing in staff training - not only does it benefit the business, but more importantly, it is reflected in the experience of it’s visitors and ultimately, the animals themselves.