Created in partnership between Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Working for Nature programme set out to teach and preserve vital conservation and habitat management skills and contribute towards bridging the green skills gap.   

The traineeship has enabled four cohorts of people, with a desire to work in the sector, to develop hands-on practical experience and qualify for a level 2 Diploma in Work-based Environmental Conservation, whilst earning a bursary.  

Across the three Trusts, more than 230 people applied for the 24 available places with 21 of them successfully achieving a Diploma since the project began in 2018. The traineeship was a practical one, working outdoors for much of the time alongside Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers over the course of a year 

During the four years that the programme has run, trainees have clocked up 33,180 hours of practical conservation work experience and taken part in 20 external work placements. The project also saw 81 people achieve a John Muir Discovery Award in recognition of them helping the environment. 

Many of the trainees have moved on to employment in the sector, ranging from jobs in ecological consultancy services, nature schools and within the Wildlife Trusts.  

Speaking about the programme, Lisa Witham, Director of Wilder Communities at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said:

“Getting into a career in conservation can be difficult. Employment opportunities are incredibly competitive and often people without a degree or equivalent formal education can be put off applying for jobs.  

"Through this traineeship, we wanted to give people who are passionate about wildlife and conservation the chance to train and develop the right skills to be able to successfully apply for the career of their choice and we are absolutely thrilled to see our recruits successfully complete the program and go on to secure amazing career opportunities." 

Dora, a Working for Nature Trainee for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust added: '

“The Working for Nature Traineeship has changed my life completely. I didn’t believe that I could ever learn so much within such a short period of time in terms of nature conservation, let alone get a job in the sector at the end of the traineeship. 

“I was working for several years in logistics in a money-driven, busy and stressful environment that did not get me anywhere. I spent my hours outside of the office outdoors doing anything that made me alive – being in nature, hiking, climbing or running. I always knew there was something else for me out there, something that made sense doing and something I could contribute to.  

“When I started my placement it didn’t take long for me to finally feel like I was home. In the 11 months that have passed, I’ve learned an unimaginable number of practical skills like fencing, drystone walling, bridge and footpath construction and repair, bird, flower and tree ID and much more! I’m now full time employed by environmental company as Habitat Restoration Operative and this is only a beginning of my journey.” 

Linda Baldwin, Community Engagement and Learning Manager at Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust added:

“As a Trust it has been a pleasure working with and supporting the trainees to help them achieve their diplomas.  It hasn't been easy at times, especially for the cohorts that kept going through the Covid-19 restrictions - but they didn't give up. This shows how determined they were and how the training has helped them adapt to real life situations.   

“It was amazing listening to previous trainees coming back to share their journey and offering words of encouragement and support. We're really pleased that most of the trainees have gone on into employment in the sector; especially one trainee who is now part of our Wildscapes environmental consultancy team!” 

Speaking about the programme, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Head of People & Nature Liz Fleuty said:

“As well as enabling a more diverse range of candidates to access roles in the sector, the programme has given us the opportunity to work with people from a range of backgrounds and with broad skills and experience. We are determined to build what we’ve learned through the programme as we develop future paid and voluntary roles.” 

Find out more about the Working for Nature Traineeship and the trainees success stories here.  

For more information about training and development offered by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, contact enquiries@derbyshirewt.co.uk.