Apprenticeship jobs
Love the outdoors? Get paid work experience and training with a Rural Apprenticeship!
Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) has exciting opportunities for local young people with a love of the outdoors to join our Apprenticeship Scheme this autumn. We offer apprenticeship opportunities in the Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria and surrounding areas in partnership with a number of fantastic local organisations and businesses.
We currently have the following opportunities:
- Make it Wild Conservation Apprentice - Summerbridge, near Harrogate
- Ribble Rivers Trust Conservation Apprentice - Clitheroe
- Swinton Estate Countryside Worker Apprentice - Swinton Estate, Masham
What does an apprenticeship offer?
Each apprenticeship is different depending on the organistion you are placed with.
- An 18-month work-based training placement with one of several employees, starting autumn 2025
- Access to a personal training budget of up to £3,500 to gain a range of relevant certificated skills
- Study for Level 2 Countryside Worker qualification at Craven College
- A minimum of £7.55 per hour to start. In Year 2, if you are 19 or over, you will be paid the National Minimum Wage for your age. You can also claim back transport costs for training days.
- Hours vary by employer (see job descriptions), but will normally be between 35 and 40 hours per week. Time spent at college or training is included in these hours.
Training
The apprenticeship scheme will give you experience of countryside skills, and will vary according to the nature of the employing organisation.
Some of the practical activities you might be involved in include:
- Construction and repair of footbridges, stiles, gates, fences and signs
- Dry stone walling, laying cobbles, paved ways and concreting
- Horticultural work
- Use of powered tools and equipment including chainsaws
- GIS mapping
- Species monitoring
Learning
Most of your learning will be done on-the-job – where you’ll get the chance to develop a range of skills. You will also have access to a personal training budget of up to £3,500 to gain certified skills relevant to your role. Courses might include: Chainsaw, Brushcutter and Pesticide use, ATV driving, Trailer training, Outdoor First Aid, Drystone walling, as well work and life skills, money management and many more to add to your CV.
As an apprentice you will also study at Craven College for Level 2 Countryside Worker qualification, with classes approximately every fortnight.
Wider opportunities
An apprenticeship can be life changing. Many of the young people who have completed theirs are now working in permanent roles with their employer; others have used their skills and experience to get jobs with organisations in a similar field, and some have gone on to higher education. It's a fantastic way to gain skills and experience to start your career in the environment sector.
The scheme is delivered by Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), and you will have lots of opportunites to get to know the YDMT team and get involved in our charitable work. This might include being part of our Green Futures Youth Forum, becoming a YDMT Ambassador or getting involved other projects that interest you.
Find out more and apply
The apprenticeship scheme is open to local young people who do not already have a qualification in a similar field. Please use the forms below for more information and to apply. The closing dates for each vacancy are below. Remember to let us know which opportunity you're applying for. You can also call us on 015242 51002 for an informal chat to find out more.
- General information about the YDMT Apprenticeship Scheme
- Link to job descriptions & add closing dates
- Rural Apprenticeships application form
Please apply by sending your completed application form to .....
