Hi, I’m Kyle and I was the 2021 Working For Nature trainee with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust based at Attenborough Nature Reserve. I was born in Nottingham and raised in the St. Ann’s area, where I still live. I grew up in the inner city, my heritage is multi-racial, I didn’t have a garden nor much access to the countryside while growing up and I don’t have a degree. None of these things are typical of your average conservationist.
I hope that if you come from a similar background to me, then you won’t let these things prevent you from pursuing a career in this sector. This could be your start, as it has been mine.
Prior to the traineeship, I had worked a number of jobs over the years. Along with this, I had attended several college courses also; a sport/fitness course (dropped out), an attempt at A-Levels (failed), and finally, a course in Animal Management (passed with flying colours). Then I had a very brief spell at university before (again) dropping out, by the end of the first year. By this point, I think I was done with formal education for a while.
It was during that initial sport/fitness course that I realised my dream job would involve wildlife/nature, as I realised that this had been a constant interest throughout my life, but at that time, the only route I knew to get there was the standard university one, so that is what I pursued. I just didn’t realise until I got there that the university path wasn’t for me. At least not yet.
After dropping out of university, I thought the dream was dead. That is until my Auntie passed on an advert to me for the traineeship. It looked perfect, everything I could want. They specifically wanted people with no degrees and therefore I now had another potential route to take. I applied to many apprenticeships - in conservation, horticulture, arboriculture; I had several interviews, none were successful. After repeated rejection, I was absolutely in a pit of self-pity. It wasn’t until some stern yet loving words from my partner that I picked myself up and worked through the application process – I think I submitted my application on the deadline day itself. My last attempt before giving up, and it was a success. And now, here we are.
The traineeship has been an incredible experience. The ranger team I’ve been fortunate to work with and learn from all year is remarkable; their level of skill/knowledge has definitely given me something to aspire to. Not to mention all of the volunteers I’ve worked with and learnt from.
I feel I have to pinch myself sometimes, the amount I’ve learnt and experienced in such a short time is astounding.
Some of the things I had been up to included: Coppicing, hedge laying, hedge/tree planting, fencing, dry stone walling, plant ID and scrub maintenance. I’ve also become a qualified outdoor first aider and qualified in using brush cutters and chainsaws. I’ve learnt to use/operate several hand tools and power tools. I’ve driven a tractor, a utility vehicle, an engine boat. Even paddled a canoe.
In my final week of the Working For Nature traineeship, I had an interview for a position that I’d applied for with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust as a Living Landscapes Assistant. Upon arriving home after the interview, I received a phone call almost immediately, informing me of the news that I had been successful in my interview and that I had been offered the position.
I feel I hit the ground running with this new job; travelling to different locations throughout Derbyshire daily from my home in Nottingham, getting stuck in with hands-on practical work in all weathers (the nature of the role), working full-time hours… The work is hard-going, but I am enjoying it. I’m still learning and picking up new things as I go also - although I’ve learned much in my short journey so far, I still have plenty to learn and my team/colleagues are incredibly supportive in helping me continue to develop and refine skills. I’m happy I’ve gotten to this point, and look forward to what the future may bring next. I’ll always be grateful to the Working For Nature project for getting me started on this path.
If you feel passionate about the natural world and have an interest in wanting to protect and preserve it, if you want to learn in a predominantly outdoor practical/hands on way with experts in their field, if you feel from what you’ve read so far that this can lead to your dream job/career, then apply. Regardless of your background or circumstances, there may be a place waiting just for you.
