Skills Bootcamp in Drone – the sky’s the limit

Drone technology has huge potential to transform ways of working for a wide range of businesses and organisations, from construction and housing to the media, public services and ecology.

A lack of knowledge of what is possible and a lack of confidence in adopting unfamiliar technology are seen as key barriers to businesses taking that first into the world droning.

To overcome these hurdles and encourage the uptake across the region, key partners came together to offer a free ‘Skills Bootcamp in Drone’ at the start of 2026. Developed by Somerset Council, Yeovil College, leading UK drone specialist iProSurv, and the UK Drone Association the free 10-week course was open to businesses across Somerset/the South West. It was designed to help businesses to understand and embrace drone technology and the improvements it can bring in efficiency, safety and productivity. By equipping participants with the skills, confidence and regulatory knowledge needed to operate drones in real working environments, the programme has supported organisations modernise their operations, reduce costs and minimise risk.

It gave attendees a comprehensive understanding of how drones can be used safely, legally and effectively, combining essential knowledge of regulations, risk awareness and responsible operation with hands‑on drone flying experience, enabling participants to apply their learning in real‑world settings. As part of the programme, learners completed the Civil Aviation Authority’s Flyer ID theory test, allowing them to legally and safely operate drones in line with UK aviation regulations.

Among the attendees was Mark Robinson, Business Development Manager at Jones Building Group which operates across the South West from its headquarters in Yeovil. The company carries out property maintenance of all kinds which requires detailed surveying for roof repairs, exterior decorating, extensions and much more. For this droning is game-changing. Where inspections would previously have been difficult and needed expensive scaffolding, cherry pickers, and visits from multiple teams, droning will now take the lead.

“Droning can get over all the access issues,” said Mark. “The video and data from a five or ten-minute flight can be shared with all our teams, telling them everything they need to know. It saves time, money and reduces out carbon footprint.”  Mark had dabbled with hobby droning before the course, but the Skills Bootcamp has put him on a professional footing. He said: “Now I’m comfortable with flying the drone and flying it safely, but also the legislative side of things – knowing what you should and shouldn’t be doing and where – which gives the confidence when interacting with the public.”

The bootcamp enables businesses to move beyond traditional inspection and surveying methods, introducing faster, safer and more sustainable approaches that can be embedded into day‑to‑day practice, helping them remain competitive and future‑ready. The course introduced an array of software for capturing and manipulating the data collected via drone footage, for example taking accurate measurements from a distance and 3-D modelling. This helps enormously with planning, allowing more accurate quotes and work plans to be developed for clients without expensive and time-consuming multiple visits.

“As a business we hadn’t fully appreciated the range of tasks and incredible results that were achievable from the kit and software that’s on the market,” said Mark. “The knowledge and experience gained on the course have been more than valuable. I wasn’t expecting to learn so much about the processing of the data captured from flights and the ways you are able to display the data captured for mapping and modelling.

“Then there is the understanding gained around what hardware is required to deliver the processed data and the confidence to share the data. It’s really opened my mind to what’s possible.”

Jones Building Group, which has been operating for a decade and employees around 200 staff, now works regularly with councils and housing associations working in the area of retrofitting – modifying existing buildings to make them more energy efficient.

This is a field where the combination of thermal imaging technology and drones are a major step forward. Together they allow the quick and easy assessment of a structure’s thermal efficiency so the most effective retrofit work can be identified, put in place and then monitored.

Mark said: “This will make it much easier for us to help them insulate homes effectively and show them ways to reduce energy use across their properties”.

And there is clearly a demand. Mark used his drone skills several times while still on the course. This included a roofing survey of a hospital – a heritage building which would have previously required a major scaffolding headache.

“I’ve been using what I learned as I go along which great,” he said. “If I hadn’t joined this bootcamp, drone flying would have just continued to be a fun hobby. Now it’s part of the business.”

Hosted at Yeovil College and the Council’s the iAero Innovation Centre in Yeovil, the course was part of the partnership work helping Somerset and the South West build on its established aerospace sector by embracing new technologies.

Somerset Council has used drones for surveying social housing association stock, County Hall, the County Museum and Blackbrook Leisure Centre. It has also been working with the University of Plymouth on the use of drones with satellite applications to support the monitoring of environmentally sensitive farming and land management.

Somerset Council manages the UK Future Flight Innovation Zone (FFIZ) on behalf of partner organisations in Somerset and Devon, including Leonardo and the Met Office, which come together as the Sustainable Aviation Board.

FFIZ is helping the South West lead the development of new sustainable aviation technologies, including hybrid, electric and hydrogen-powered flight. It supports collaboration and aims to help Somerset and the South West play a major role in securing the long-term sustainable future and decarbonisation of the British aviation industry.