Employing an apprentice

We work with forward thinking businesses and organisations in the rural and environmental sector to provide apprenticeships for young people aged 16-24. 

Suzannah and James, former apprentices that have gone on to work for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

What we offer to employers  

We recruit our apprentices with as much or little input from you as you want, and will liaise with local colleges to enrol candidates on a Level 2 Countryside Worker Apprenticeship, or similar. 

We pay a subsidy over the period of the apprenticeship towards your employment costs with extra funding for certificated training in skills relevant to your work, for example, use of pesticides, brushcutter, chainsaw, ATV driving and trailer training. We also make a contribution towards transport to training and for specialist Personal Protection Equipment if necessary. Learn more about our Rural Apprenticeship Scheme

What we ask from you

As a business you’ll employ an apprentice, usually for an 18 month period, on a full time contract. The apprentice would have paid time off for study and training, and a few days each year to join other apprentices for group activities. They would study for a Countryside Worker Apprenticeship at Craven College in Skipton, usually one day per fortnight.

The rewards

At the end of their apprenticeship the young person should have the work experience, skills and qualifications to make them your ideal employee!

Many employers we’ve worked with have found that seeing a young person grow in skills and confidence is a great experience, and have really enjoyed passing on the skills they have learned.  

 

Learn more about our work 

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