6 November 2024
Apprenticeships and Internships
Starting your green career journey
Explore how we support young people and those switching career paths to get into green careers through our apprenticeship and internship schemes.
See our green careers section for more on work experience opportunities and information on the New Forest Green Careers Network.
Apprentice rangers
Since 2016, the New Forest National Park Authority has supported dozens of apprentice rangers alongside partner organisations.
These 12-16 month paid apprenticeships involved diving into a variety of tasks, from carrying out conservation work and wildlife surveys, assisting with public events, and looking after country parks and nature reserves.
They also took on placements at Forestry England, the National Trust, Hampshire County Council, RSPB, the Countryside Education Trust and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, with learning sessions at Sparsholt College and Kingston Maurward College.
Our apprentice rangers have gone on to work in a range of roles within the New Forest or environmental conservation sector, including an assistant ranger at Lepe Country Park, groundsperson for the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, trainee wildlife ranger for Forestry England and seasonal ranger for the New Forest National Park Authority.
National Park interns
Through the New to Nature programme, supported by Groundwork UK and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we were able to support two National Park interns between 2023 and 2024.
Over 12 months, both our interns, Josh and Hayley, gained experience with every department at the NPA and also worked alongside our partners.
Since their internships, Josh joined our planning team, and Hayley stayed on with us as an admin assistant for the YouCAN scheme, before joining the Peak District National Park. Both of them also joined the New Forest Youth Board.
Can I apply to be an apprentice ranger?
We are not currently taking applications for our apprentice rangers programme, but working on identifying funding so that this great opportunity can continue. See our careers section for any roles we are currently advertising.
For other green career opportunities, see the Youth Portal.
What does the New Forest apprentice ranger programme involve?
- Attend college sessions
- Carry out practical conservation work
- Teach groups about the New Forest
- Undertake wildlife surveys
- Assist with public events and activity sessions
- Look after country parks, nature reserves and countryside sites
- Undertake office work
- Work outdoors in all weather!
What qualifications will I get?
You will get the following essential qualifications:
- Level 2 Countryside Worker Diploma
- NPTC Chainsaw Certificate – maintenance, cross-cut and felling
- NPTC Brushcutters and Strimmers certificate
- Emergency First Aid certificate.
What else will I gain?
Alongside formal qualifications, this apprenticeship will give you:
- Experience of working with six New Forest Ranger teams
- On the job experience in a supportive knowledge-sharing environment
- Increased confidence
- Experience of working with volunteers and the public.
When will I work?
This is a full-time role for 37 hours per week, mainly Monday to Friday, but there is a requirement to work some weekends and bank holidays, especially during the summer season. The working day will usually be between 8.30am and 5pm.
You will move from one New Forest organisation to the next spending up to three months with each of the Ranger teams learning about the work they do and their unique responsibilities. You will need a driving licence to drive the dedicated vehicle.
Where and when will I go to college?
Learning sessions will be delivered by Sparsholt College and take place in seven, one-week blocks during the first 12 months of the apprenticeship.
