Wildlife traineeships

The Wildlife Traineeship scheme provides over 30 Traineeships across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire each year. We have four types of Traineeship: Conservation (Reserves Management), Education, Biodiversity (Surveying), and Community, with each running for six months to a year.

Trainees generally attend three days a week for the length of their Traineeship, undertaking practical experience and training that will boost their chances of successfully gaining paid employment on completion.

Trainees spend most of their time in relevant occupational activities, providing sufficient meaningful experience for the Trainees to have something they can put on their CV and to use when they apply for jobs at the end of their Traineeship.

The mix of activities varies, depending on the Trainee’s host placement. The placements vary significantly and the trainee may be based on a single nature reserve, cover a living landscape, or cover reserves across a whole county. Trainees might also be based in and around a visitor centre or environmental education centre.

Experience gained will be relevant to the nature and location of each traineeship and may include:

• habitat management
• species identification
• rapid assessment botanical surveys
• using conservation management systems
• managing livestock
• volunteer management
• leading guided walks and talks
• health and safety
• assisting with delivery of outdoor curriculum linked learning experiences for school children
• access and interpretation work
• assisting with planning and delivery of family events and supporting community engagement events
   

In addition to the vital skills acquired through occupational activities, the Trainee scheme develops skills through training. There is a programme of core training, with relevant modules available to Trainees. Trainees will be supported by their mentor through regular one to one meetings to set, review against and update objectives that are relevant to the Trainee's development plan.

The core training is largely conducted in-house, by subject-matter experts - usually members of staff. The programme comprises several one day courses, which are reinforced by work-based activities to consolidate the learning and give trainees real experience.

All trainees take part in Introduction to BBOWT, and Interview and Application Skills training.  In addition, additional optional relevant training is available. Examples of the optional modules available include:

• Introduction to Botany
• Reserves Management Planning
• Conservation Grazing
• Managing Livestock on Reserves 
• Introduction to Environmental Education
• Publicity and Social Media
• Safety on Site
• Tools workshop
• Leading Practical Groups (Volunteers)
• Leading a Guided Walk
   

At the start of the Traineeship, each Trainee will meet with their mentor to agree objectives in line with the Trainee's development plan.  This process provides Trainees with the opportunity to set relevant objectives for the duration of their Traineeship. These are reviewed and updated regularly during one to one meetings with their mentor.

Trainees will also be given preferential booking for Developing Your Skills (DYS) courses which are offered by the Trust to build relevant skills and knowledge and are often fully booked very shortly after places are released.

In addition to the training and experience opportunities above, geared to assist Trainees in entering the conservation workforce, the Trust provides Trainees with relevant nationally certified training and compensates for some travel expenses.

Applicants should have a keen interest in UK wildlife conservation, a good level of fitness and be willing to supervise and lead volunteers.

A commitment of three days per week for 6 to 12 months is essential.