The nature conservation industry is highly competitive and difficult to enter into in terms of employment, this is no secret. So, when an opportunity arose to be a Conservation Trainee with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust it was too good to miss!

The traineeship itself has been awarded to four individuals and runs for 12 months (three days a week) allowing us to work and study alongside each other, staff and volunteers. Though the main focus of the traineeship is practical conservation work we also have the opportunity to get involved with other departments at WWT. This means we have a wealth of opportunities readily available to us throughout the year including: ecological surveying, practical land management, assisting with planning applications and working with youth groups.

Here is a bit more about us in our own words...

Ruthie

Previously, I have volunteered with a variety of charities across several years, from mentoring to reception work, promotions to surveying. I have thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity but I have always come back to practical conservation work. Therefore, the traineeship is perfect for me! Based locally, focussed on outdoors work and with the chance to gain some formal training and qualifications in practical conservation, how could I say no! Having grown up in rural Worcestershire I am completely at home in the outdoors, come rain or shine, I will be out there, walking, cycling, exploring.

Amy

I have been volunteering with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust for two years and originally started out as a member of the Outdoor Origins youth group. I met lots of new people and managed to experience lots of new things that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do. From here I gained an abundance of skills, which I have been able to take further with the Traineeship and gain so much more practical training and skills. The outdoors has always been a big part of my life, especially growing up, so being able to contribute to the environment and see the impact we are making towards it is so rewarding!

Jake

In 2019, I decided to begin studying part-time towards an undergraduate degree in order to work towards a career in something I’m passionate about and which would keep me active and on my toes as I love the outdoors and keeping busy. So, something to do with the environment, I decided, and fell upon environmental science.

After a few months of studying I wanted to gather some skills in the field and started volunteering for Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust as I live in Leicestershire. From the very start of volunteering I fell in love with conservation, particularly contributions to habitat management for British wildlife and the awesome and friendly people I met whilst doing it. I quickly started looking for a traineeship so I could gain professional experience in wildlife conservation and other skills that might help me secure my first job in this field later; this traineeship hasn’t disappointed!

Issy

Currently on my placement year from University where I study Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science, I have previously volunteered with BRERC which is the Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre. I have also volunteered with the Wildlife Trust in previous years. I thoroughly enjoy learning the science and reasoning behind ecological conservation but this year is the perfect chance to put everything I’ve learnt into practice! From woodland management through to social media, this year is going to really open my eyes to how much work really goes into running such a successful conservation charity...and it’s the perfect excuse to get MUDDY!