Green apprenticeship case studies
- Countryside Worker (level 2)
- Forest Craftsperson (level 3)
- Low Carbon Heating Technician (level 3)
- Installation Electrician and Maintenance Electrician (level 3)
- Sustainability Business Specialist (level 7)
- Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner (level 4)
Countryside Worker apprentice, Ellie Corbett
Ellie completed the Countryside Worker Level 2 apprenticeship and is now on the Countryside Ranger Level 4 while also working as an Area Ranger for North York Moors National Park.
Ellie said:
From a young age I have always been passionate about the environment and what we need to be doing to conserve it. After working through school and college in hospitality roles, I decided to travel to see more of the world and worked in various rural jobs over the course of three years. Through seeing different environments and learning from people who had such a passion for the planet, this inspired me to take this path for myself. After coming back home I began an environmental undergraduate degree with the Open University and shortly after got a place on the Countryside Worker Apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship has given me the practical skills, the knowledge behind the job and the ability to work in beautiful places, giving something back to the communities and the environment. I have had the opportunity to learn from people with so much experience in this field that they can pass on.
The apprenticeship has led me to get my dream job in a National Park as an Area Ranger. I am currently finishing my final year of my undergraduate degree, as well as working towards my level 4 Countryside Ranger apprenticeship qualification.
I am looking forward to continuing my career in this line of work and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities I have had and the positive impact I can have through my job.
Countryside Worker apprentice, Jacob Rowell
Jacob is a Countryside Worker apprentice, working at the North York Moors National Park.
Jacob said:
I have lived in Teesdale my whole life. I've always loved the outdoors; hiking, swimming, cycling, climbing, anything that meant I could spend time in nature.
After studying History and Politics at university in Newcastle, focusing on environmental modules and courses where I could, I moved back home to Teesdale and had time to reflect. I felt that academia wasn’t my strong suit, and that ultimately, I could make a bigger impact through a ranger or conservation role.
Whilst trying to break into the sector, I shadowed a research assistant at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust where I was involved in Breeding Bird Surveys, Call Back Surveys, and was involved in studies on deep peat moorland. I then got involved with a local Bird Ringing Group, volunteered as much as possible and built a CV before applying for a position at the North York Moors National Park as a Countryside Worker Apprentice.
Getting onto the apprenticeship was really important to me. I struggled to find entry level opportunities in the environment sector closer to home, but getting this apprenticeship marks the start of a long and happy career in this sector, and hopefully with the North York Moors. Not only do I get to work with great, like-minded people from a variety of backgrounds, build my confidence, my knowledge and my practical ability; but we are able to give back to local communities and the environment through our work.
Published 4 May 2023
Last updated 5 May 2023
(CDT/NS)