In the Yorkshire Dales we’re lucky enough to have some of England's finest countryside. To care for it takes sensitive management by expertly trained individuals.
In the Dales it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find people with skills necessary for the long term care of our upland environment. Combined with this we’re seeing a dramatic loss of 16-24 year olds as rural communities try to adapt to rapidly changing economics.
So in June 2010 YDMT launched the Dales Countryside Trainee scheme to help meet the urgent needs of young people and to bridge the gap in local skills and knowledge.
The Scheme 2010-2012
In summer 2010 twelve young people started on a programme of vocational training in environmental and countryside management across the Dales. Over the next two years they will gain valuable experience in a 22 month placement with a local employer, learning from skilled practitioners. They will also study for a Level 2 Qualification in Environmental Conservation at Craven College. Some of the training they receive will include:
- Health and Safety
- ATV use
- Business skills
- Dry Stone walling
- Woodland restoration
- Historic structures
After two years it’s hoped that the Trainees will be ideally placed to start permanent jobs in the sector or even go onto higher level training and education.
How it all started
The Dales Countryside Trainee Scheme is the brainchild of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, and has been made possible through grant awards from the Yorkshire Dales LEADER programme, Rural Access to Opportunities and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority via the Sustainable Development Fund.
The Trainees
The Dales Countryside Trainee scheme aims to give opportunities to young people aged between 16 and 24 who live in isolated areas of the Yorkshire Dales.
The Organisations
The Dales Countryside Trainee scheme has also received overwhelming support from local employers. Organisations in the Dales need people with the right skills to fulfill all types of roles including estate management, conservation work, buildings work and habitat management. The organisations offering placements through the scheme all have specialist staff to support our trainees and often an estate or area of environmental interest to provide a focus for work experience.
- The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
- Natural England
- The National Trust
- Dinsdale Moorland Services
- Horton Landscaping
- North Yorkshire County Council
- Swinton Estate
- DTMS Ltd
Dinsdale Moorland Services (DMS) has already experienced the benefits of working with trainees. One of their current employees James Holgate took part in YDMT’s Apprenticeship Scheme in 2007, where he worked with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
James’ current role with DMS involves all aspects of countryside management, and has even included testing mountain bike trails.
Gareth Evans, Managing Director of DMS, said: “The Countryside Trainee Scheme gives young people the opportunity to gain ‘real life’ experience and a valuable Countryside Management qualification. Having had the good fortune of working with a number of apprentices over the years DMS are thrilled to be involved again.”