Looking for trainee/apprentice position in South Yorkshire

[Benb2k]

Hi there

 

As the title suggests, i currently live in Sheffield, moving to Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire soon. I am able to travel throughout South Yorkshire, upto Huddersfield/Wakefield/Peak District area for work.

 

I have completed a work-based NVQ Level 1 in Land based operations and recently completed an NVQ Level 2 in Environmental Conservation run through BTCV Sheffield in partnership with Castle College Nottingham. The project work for the course takes place in the Upper Derwent Valley of the Derbyshire Peak District where I have spent my time learning a wide variety of skills such as tree planting, tree felling, coppicing, management of vegetation such as Bracken and Rhododendron, habitat surveying and hedge laying. In addition, I have also learnt skills and completed a number of tasks involving dry stone walling, post and wire/post and rail fencing, gate and stile construction and footpath construction. Further to this, the course allows to work and interact alongside and learn from experienced countryside professionals such as Peak National Park Ranger Service, Severn Trent Forestry Service and the National Trust.

 

I am looking for the opportunity to be trained up and essentially molded to the requirements needed whilst saving up to get my tickets and continually improve my skill base. I am a very hard worker, techinically/practically minded and due to being made redundant from my current job as a projectionist soon, i would ideally like to stay within a practical work environment.

 

Please do not hesistate to get in touch if you have anything available, or know of anything.

 

Thank you for your time,

 

Ben

[Tinker]

Hi Ben, have you thought of having a chat with the forestry Commission. We're in the middle of two areas, so you could try both Forestry Commission - Forest Enterprise - Local Offices

[Benb2k]

Thank you Tinker, i will look into that asap. Greatly appreciated.

[cwood2887]

Hi Ben,

 

you sound like me 5 or so years back!

I went through BTCV and gained NVQ 1+2 alongside some volunteering for FC and a bit of working for myself in gardens/ allotments etc.

 

In 2007 I gained an apprenticeship with Forestry Commission working in a very similar (although MUCH less organised) fashion to BTCV, working towards NVQ3 in Trees and Timber and gaining most tickets on the way.

Its a really good scheme and one I would highly reccomend aslong as your prepared to drive it.

FC aren't really focussed on NVQ's in the way you will be used to but the support you will get combined with the experience you have makes for a solid combination aslong as you work for it.

Theres a fair bit of info on the FC website regarding the scheme and some contacts.

I'm not alltogether sure who is in charge of the scheme in Englandshire or I'd give you a name.

 

A lad I worked with at BTCV also went onto an apprenticeship with FC more recently after volunteering elsewhere for a while.

 

Not much help I know but hopefully a glimmer of light for you that your on the right track and your background has provided chances to others.

As you well kow times are hard and jobs are hard to come by but your well placed if/ when they do.

I moved to Scotland and the other lad went to Wales aswell for the apprenticeship but I know Sherwood are "looking into" apprentices so keep an eye out and maybe get in touch now, foot in the door so to speak.

 

I would try STEP as they work out of Stocksbridge, environmental consultancy type place.

Don't really know much about them sorry other than that they exist!

 

Sheffield and Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts have vacancies from time to time and have bother taken ex BTCV people that I know of, 1 of which again went onto FC apprenticeship.

Lots of conservation work on Wharncliffe Craggs as theres a SSI site.

Maybe volunteering opportunities at least if you contact them.

 

Groundwork Sheffield have done a fair bit of "urban regeneration" type work recently but mostly advertise volunteering positions that I have seen.

 

I was in touch with Heely City Farm when I moved, they weren't exactly forthcoming with jobs but quite keen and kept good contact with me, places like that are worth talking to.

 

Wadsley and Loxley Commoners used to do lots of volunteer path work, stone pitching, coppicing etc. which is good experience if you can get it.

 

Just do what you can, bang on every door you think of and it will pay off eventually.

You never know you may even become a miserable civil servant ha ha!

[Benb2k]

Hi cwood,

 

Thanks for your reply, it does give me alittle hope.

 

I actually got to the interview stage with the FC in Inverness for an apprenticeship position last year only to be unsuccessful. It was a good experience and i hope to apply again in the future providing my personal circumstances will allow. With a little one on the way it may not be viable to relocate to Scotland any time soon. Only down side was trying to get feedback to see what wasnt up to scratch, with all my requests falling on deaf ears.

 

Ive been in contact with FC in England and it seems that their apprenticeship positions are on hold still due to public sector holds on vacancies. Hopefully in the next year or so that will improve.

 

I will check out the info you gave and see if i can get anywhere with that. Im struggling to get out volunteering of late due to working 5/6 days a week, but i could do with polishing up on what ive learnt so far.

 

One of my downfalls seems to be that i dont have any of the tickets that most jobs require and im not in a financial position to fund them myself, hence the willingness to be trained up and hopefully gain these on the way. Plus, the thought of leaving a full time, permanent job for seasonal work which there seems to be quite abit going around is quite daunting with no gaurenteed work at the end of it especially with rent/child etc to provide for.

 

I will keep plodding on though and i am encouraged by your situation. I may one day meet you as a fellow miserable civil servant haha

 

Thanks again, very much appreciated.

 

Ben

[Tinker]

I may one day meet you as a fellow miserable civil servant haha

 

Wore that T shirt out many moons ago. Ranmoor Hall Trainer Training & Resource Centre. 112 West St. B O and Hillsborough B O and J C. Not an experience I would like to repeat. When I had had enough, there was no half measures. I had a chat with the Area Manager, got nowhere so I wrote my notice out and left a month later. There's only so much a body & mind can take.

 

It's a big and brave step to leave a well paid job (joke intended) that is somewhat secure, but it's going to happen some day. Why not sooner rather than later.