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

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

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

Where you interviewing for the FC apprenticeship on tuesday Barney? Just wondering as i was there too and wanted to know if you'd heard anything yet? Ben

Thank you for the advice guys. I have started putting some money aside to eventually one day get my CS30/31 but it will take me a while to get it funded hence why it would be great to find an apprenticeship which would be willing to help with the costs. I'll take all the information on board and hopefully be able to politely pester companies soon once i can afford my tickets thanks

Thanks pward, ive had a quick look at there website and ill get in touch with a few questions. Looking at it, it looks to me that if you are over 18ish you have to find a work placement yourself which may be tricky but its worth a shot. An i agree, im fed up with Sheffield too a change of scenary would be great haha Cheers mate. Any one else feel free to contribute if you have any other ideas too. Cant have to many ideas

Just a polite *bump* (first and last i promise) to see if there is any more help/offers out there. Regards Ben

Right thank you all for your responses. It was all very interesting and im going to take it all into account. Failing i cannot get some experience in the UK i will start researching/thinking about going on a working holiday in the future and even if it does not lead anywhere im sure it would be a great experience. Lets hope the job sector picks up here soon

hi there thank you for replying. I am 26 years old, working full time as a projectionist in sheffield at the minute. I have no family ties except a long term girlfriend and im renting so have no mortgage, just usual debts from university. Obviously i am not looking for an easy pass and i am fully committed but i am finding it difficult to find employment, ideally id like an apprenticeship here in the UK to get trained up and further the skills i have already but yet again struggling to find anything. I know there are plenty of other people who may have more experience or have more qualification but i believe i have the right mindset as i have spent the last two years working full time over 4 days a week and volunteering 2 days a week so i hope that would show some dedication.* I was just wondering who may take people on with my limited work experience but keen desire to learn. Thanks again Ben

Hi there, Just really wanting to get some opinions of any realistic opportunities to relocate ideally to aus/nz or canada. After reading through threads it seems like experience is key then the struggles of getting visa's arranged/accepted. Ive worked hard for the last 2 years volunteering 2 days a week with BTCV whilst gaining NVQ level 1 in land based operations and level 2 in environment conservation in which i learnt a number of skills such as tree felling (with bowsaws) coppicing, post & rail/wire fencing, dry stone walling, hedge laying, managing vegetation plus a number of other tasks. Ive search high an low in the UK but it is so fiercly competitive i would easily consider working abroad to forge a career one day. I have a degree but in a completely unrelated field which i have no interest in pursuing hence why ive put the hard work in to attain these qualifications so far. I do not have any tickets at the moment alongside no actual paid work experience. Is this more of a pipedream or have you heard of/know of people who have emmigrated with similar experience as myself? Any advice, help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ben

Thank you Janey Ill do some research into this when i get back from work and see if they plan on holding any other events in the near future. Thanks again

Hi there I am looking to get into an apprenticeship within the forestry industry and would appreciate any guidance that anybody could offer me. I have spent the last 2 years volunteering with BTCV 2 days a week whilst attaining an NVQ Level 1 in Land-based Operations and NVQ Level 2 in Environmental Conservation and since the completion of the qualifications i've continued volunteering with them. Working with them involved a number of tasks such as tree felling (w/ bow saws) coppicing, hedge laying, tree planting, dry stone walling, post & rail/wire fencing, habitat maintenance, footpath maintenace plus others. I have my own PPE just not any of my own tools or chainsaw equipment/ppe. I am an extremely hard worker and enjoy learning and developing new skills and ideally id like to find a trainee/apprentice position whereas i could demonstrate my willingness in this area of work and where i can be developed further. I know jobs in this area are fiercly competitive but after spending 2 years with BTCV alongside working full time (yes, ive only had 1 day off a week to myself for 2 years now!) i believe it is where id love to forge my career in. Any help that you maybe able to give me whether its just names of companies that offer these opportunities or you yourselves are looking for an apprentice i would be greatly appreciative. I am willing to relocate anywhere around the country my only stipulation would be that would be at the very least be full time on minimum wage as im sure you'd appreciate i have bills/rent etc to take care of. Thank you for your time in listening to me blabber on. Kind Regards Ben