National Apprenticeship Week
March 11, 2015
National Apprenticeship Week runs from 9 to 13 March 2015 and celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) currently employs two apprentices: Paul Slade and Chris Gurney.
“Apprenticeships are a great way to create new opportunities,” says Helene Rossiter Smith, Director of Corporate Services for the South Downs National Park Authority. “Our two apprentices have settled in well and are making really valuable contributions to our work in the National Park. We recruited Paul, our first apprentice for an office-based role working with our central admin team that supports the whole organisation. Our second, Chris, is working with our ranger team – conservation work is very competitive so an apprenticeship is a great way to get into it”.
“It’s a good place, good people, good purpose, good work,” says Paul. “Being an apprentice here has been an amazing experience and the best introduction to the working world that I could have wished for. I’ve learnt so much, done so many different things – and there’s still so much more for me to see. I don’t know that anything could top this.”
Paul joined the team in June 2014, as SDNPA’s first apprentice – through Chichester College. Since he started he has been involved in many support tasks including general administration (printing, collating, data entry and mailings). Kim Collins, Support Services Coordinator for the SDNPA says, “Paul’s confidence has grown so much in this role and with this he’s taken on new tasks such as helping to organise a teachers conference for 130+ delegates and exhibitors and monitoring our media coverage. Whilst carrying out tasks within the office, he has also been carrying out his college work, excelling in all exams taken to date.”
Meanwhile National Park Ranger Rob Nicholls says apprenticeships can be a great way to get ahead of the competition. “The competition for these roles is fierce – I did a year in industry volunteering with the National Trust to gain my experience so I know how important combining practical work and qualifications can be. Chris has brought enthusiasm, hard work and positive energy. He’s already started to take on important projects, including one monitoring river flies to measure water quality, where he also coordinates volunteers. A major part of the organisation’s role is around engaging with people and partnership working, so these skills are vital to acquire early on. Chris has also helped out with a successful barn owl box monitoring project and we’ve just installed our 100th box. He has a fantastic rapport with our volunteers and is great at coordinating the logistics needed for site activities. He has helped us to progress and deliver vital projects and has been a real asset to the team, helping whoever needs it.”
Born in Petersfield, Chris says he has spent most of his life on the South Downs. He was working as a furniture maker and looking for a new role when he saw the advert on the National Apprenticeship website. Shortly afterwards, he met a Woodlands Officer from the South Downs National Park at a local wood show and decided to apply through Sparsholt College’s apprentice scheme. According to Chris “An apprenticeship is by far the best way to break into this industry. I’m enjoying it even more than I expected – I love my job! The team here are great and have taught me so much already.”
Helene continues, “We’ve had a very positive experience with apprenticeships and hope to continue, and if possible enlarge the scheme in the future.”