Over the next 11 months, Pat Hill (32) and Per Horden (30 will develop professional skills, take part in practical conservation and qualify for a level 2 Diploma in environmental conservation.

The scheme is possible thanks to players of the National Lottery. Pat and Per will spend a year working alongside the Trust’s team and volunteers and take that first step to a career in conservation. This is the second year of a four year project and last year’s trainees have already found jobs in ecological consultancy services, nature schools and within the Wildlife Trusts. The placement also comes with a £10,000 bursary and 100 people will take part in the John Muir Discovery Award.

Laura Jones, Working for Nature project officer said: “Conservation can be a difficult profession to get into – so many people want to be part of the movement but there are so few opportunities for free or cost effective training and even fewer opportunities for employment. There is also a growing skills gap in the conservation sector and this training helps to address those issues.”

Per Horden from Swadlincote said: “This is a career change for me, it’s fantastic to be training in something I am already passionate about. I’m really looking forward to gaining new skills especially in mammal identification and learning more about how they can be better protected.”

Patrick Hill  from High Peak said: “This is a great opportunity – I applied for the traineeship because I’m very interested in nature and want to learn more about the work being done to save our wonderful wildlife.”

The Working for Nature programme is a partnership between Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, to teach and preserve vital conservation and habitat management skills.  The traineeship is aimed at people without a higher education qualification in conservation and who have not had the opportunity to study in this sector before.  

The project will enable the three Trusts to train 24 people over four years.

Training takes place over 12 months, starting in September. Anyone interested in applying can find out more https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/working-nature