Young People Pathway

Eight weeks to discover new skills, new environments and new possibilities

Our Young People’s Programme is delivered across two four week stages, giving participants time to develop gradually and build confidence at the right pace.

The programme combines practical environmental skills with employability, personal development and opportunities to experience workplaces and careers that many young people may never previously have considered.

There is support throughout. The aim is not simply to complete training, but to help each participant recognise their strengths, become more confident and begin moving towards employment, education or further training.

Below is an idea of what you can expect across the programme.

What you will experience

• Practical land management, learning by doing in real outdoor environments rather than spending the programme sitting in a classroom.
• Woodland habitat management, learning how woodlands are looked after, identifying common tree species and understanding how healthy habitats support wildlife.
• Risk assessment, learning how to spot hazards, think through risks and make safe decisions before starting practical tasks.
• Hand tools and spoon carving, developing confidence with practical hand tools through activities such as spoon carving, helping build safe working habits before progressing to more powerful machinery.
• Chainsaw skills, gaining an introduction to the equipment, safety and techniques used within forestry and land management.
• Brushcutter skills, developing confidence using equipment commonly found across conservation, estates and grounds management.
• Environmental conservation, taking part in practical activities that make a visible difference to the landscapes you are working in.
• Forest Signal and environmental technology, discovering how sensors, drones, environmental data and field observations are being used to understand and protect the natural world.
• Days out at country parks, estates and environmental workplaces, seeing for yourself the range of jobs and opportunities that exist across the rural and environmental sectors.
• Meeting people already working in the sector, helping you understand what different jobs involve and the routes people take to get into them.
• Confidence building, gradually taking on new tasks and recognising what you are capable of achieving.
• Resilience, learning how to deal with challenges, setbacks and unfamiliar situations in a supportive environment.
• Teamwork and communication, working alongside other participants and instructors to complete practical activities.
• Getting ready for work, including how to approach employers, present yourself positively and understand what employers are looking for.
• Finding your next step, whether that is employment, an apprenticeship, further training, volunteering or another opportunity that moves you forward.
• Ongoing support, with the programme paced appropriately so that confidence, skills and responsibility develop throughout the eight weeks.