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Nature Reserves Apprenticeship - Multiple Roles

Closing date:
Salary: NLW £12.71 ph based on a 35 hour working week, plus pension contributions of 9%
Contract type: Fixed term / Working hours: Full time
Location:
Various locations, Cumbria

Helena Dolby for Sheffield WT

Our Countryside Worker Apprenticeship Programme is a unique opportunity for young people to launch a meaningful career in conservation. By joining Cumbria Wildlife Trust, you’ll gain hands-on experience caring for and restoring our natural heritage, protecting wildlife, and enhancing the environment for future generations.

Along the way, you’ll develop valuable practical skills, build confidence working outdoors, and achieve recognised qualifications that will open doors across the environmental sector. This is your chance to make a real difference while growing your career in nature conservation.

Nature Reserves Apprenticeships (2 positions)

Salary: NLW £12.71 ph on an 18-month placement

Start date: October 2026

Locations: Kendal (South Cumbria) and Carlisle (North Cumbria)

We are recruiting two enthusiastic Nature Reserves Apprentices to join our team this October. One apprentice will be based in Kendal, the other in Carlisle, with opportunities to work across our beautiful reserves throughout Cumbria. A full driving licence is preferred to make the most of this county‑wide role.

What You'll Learn to Do

  • Habitat & species management — Gain hands‑on experience caring for a wide range of habitats, wildlife, and reserve infrastructure.
  • Volunteer support — Help maintain and develop an active volunteer network.
  • Monitoring & surveying — Learn how to monitor habitats and species across our reserves.
  • Public engagement — Support events, activities, and specialist courses for visitors and community groups.
  • Practical conservation skills — Training includes tree planting, dry stone walling, species ID, outdoor first aid and more.

Training & Development

Apprentices attend Craven College (near Skipton) usually once a fortnight to complete a Level 2 Apprenticeship. Apprentices will also receive on the job training with Cumbria Wildlife Trust along with a £3,000 training budget to complete high‑quality accredited training such as:

  • Outdoor First Aid
  • Brushcutter, chainsaw and tool use
  • ATV and quad bike driving
  • Drystone walling
  • Fencing

All travel and training costs are fully covered.

Your Future Career

This apprenticeship builds strong foundations for a career in conservation. Previous apprentices have gone on to roles with:

  • Wildlife Trusts
  • John Muir Trust
  • North Pennines AONB
  • National Trust

They now work as wildlife rangers, reserve officers, outdoor educators and more.

For further information and to apply, please visit https://www.ydmt.org/apprenticeships - please ensure to specify if you would prefer to be based in the South or the North. If you would like to apply for both locations, two applications will need to be submitted.

Applications are to be submitted via the above link. 

Closing date for applications is Sunday 26 July 2026.

Interviews will be held in August or September at our offices in Carlisle for North applications and at our headquarters in Kendal for South applications.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is devoted to the conservation of the wildlife and wild places of Cumbria.

Recruitment Pack