12 Week Nature Conservation Traineeship ¦ Wild For People Bursary

LIVING, LEARNING, WORKING FOR WILDLIFE

Would you like to feel inspired and confident enough to improve the future for nature? Would you like to be part of a pioneering rewilding project, an exciting land management approach for wildlife that is relevant across the world? We are delighted to announce UK opportunities for our award-winning international 12 week nature conservation training course, based in South Devon. This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in nature. You will develop the practical skills and understanding to enhance your career prospects and protect wildlife and biodiversity, helping to create a wilder future.

Everyone has a role to play in knowing about and making informed decisions with regards to our natural world. Whether you are aiming to be the next Director of a wildlife NGO, an educator, countryside ranger, researcher, inspired artist, tree surgeon, biologist or consultant this immersive learning experience will set you on your way.

There are eight places available for each cohort ( three cohorts per year – Spring, Summer and Autumn). Trainees will be UK and International. The fully funded places available for UK residents are funded The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

2020 traineeship dates:

  • Spring: 31st March – 19th June.  2 FULLY FUNDED PLACES available for UK residents
  • Summer: 30th June – 18th September. 1 FULLY FUNDED PLACE available for UK residents
  • Autumn: 29th September – 18th December. 1 FULLY FUNDED PLACE available for UK residents

Training benefits

  • Direct experience of a pioneering rewilding project
  • Increase knowledge, understanding and confidence in: species identification, survey techniques, practical skills, public engagement, habitat ecology, conservation management, and the use of technology in nature conservation.
  • Receive recognition for short courses, including GIS & GPS biodiversity mapping, Bird ID, Camera Trapping and more…
  • Gain a thorough insight into the UK nature conservation sector
  • Train and live with like-minded people in a beautiful South Devon setting
  • Develop employability skills – personal confidence, effective communication, collaboration, project management, partnership working, report writing and presentation delivery.
  • Gain access to our network within the nature conservation sector
  • Be part of a widening participation agenda, working with adults with learning difficulties

Course Content

The programme is diverse in its delivery and rich in opportunities. Our conservation farm and wilding project is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on conservation experience supported by our team of wildlife professionals. Biodiversity monitoring and applied land management are central elements of the programme, building your field skills and your confidence in understanding the ecology of the countryside and the work required to secure its future. We have identified the most common key skills that conservation employers need, with regular short courses and workshops throughout the 12 weeks focusing on these important areas. Plant identification, Quantum GIS, and a range of industry standard wildlife survey protocols such as Phase1 habitat survey are some examples. We will give you a solid understanding of UK conservation approaches and emphasise forward looking strategies including landscape scale ecological restoration (rewidling) and integrated land management. In addition, we will support you in your development of important transferable skills, such as project management and effective public communication, throughout your time. You will also have the chance to connect with our network of organisations which will be invaluable as you develop you career into the future.

Who is the training for?

We operate an open recruitment and welcome applications from anyone. The benefits to those already on a conservation career path but lack crucial experience are clear. Our experience also however tells us that career changers who are looking for a way into the nature conservation sector, or those who are inspired by the natural world and want to broaden their horizons, also benefit greatly from these placements.

Whether you are aiming to be the next Director of a wildlife NGO, an educator, countryside ranger, researcher, inspired artist, tree surgeon, biologist or consultant this experience will set you on your way.

Testimonials

“Things I’ve learnt here and the people I’ve met have really changed how I see things”

“It was the best 3 months of my life”

“With this placement I feel I have practical knowledge and experience which is not just a piece of paper and will help me achieve my goals”

“This traineeship was even better than I could imagine, so I only can recommend it”

“I gained a lifelong experience and lasting knowledge about the scientific part and the personal side of life too.”

“The experience will help me in my future work”

“An experience of a lifetime”

Who is delivering the work-based training?

Ambios are a friendly team of wildlife professionals and nature conservation educators with over 30 years experience. Ambios itself is 19 years old.  We work alongside volunteers and trainees, sharing knowledge and passion for conservation and our farm.

You will also spend some of your time working with The Sharpham Trust network to deliver education and engagement events.

Our range of skills will support you on this course, train you and enable shared learning experiences.

Live and Work

Whilst training at Lower Sharpham Farm you will live with an international team of motivated fellow trainees all of whom will share a keen interest in nature and wildlife, have a good level of English language skills and have personal experiences and skills to share. You will be based in the bunkhouse where you will share your living space and eat food together from the local area. It is an immersive placement, where your time will be full.

Accommodation

Our ‘bunkhouse’ has 8 single bedrooms with 2 toilet/shower rooms and a kitchen with a large comfortable lounge and wood stove.  This accommodation is part of our working farm, managed for wildlife and learning.  It is comfortable and sits amongst the trees and hedgerows, with spectacular views of the River Dart and the truly idyllic countryside.  This is a safe and tranquil place for relaxing between learning sessions. All meals are made from local produce (direct from our farm where possible) with special dietary requirements catered for on request. We have a large yurt and an open plan office (with free Wi-Fi) which we use as training spaces.

Lower Sharpham Farm - Venue from Ambios Ltd on Vimeo.

Cost

The cost of this 12 week immersive, residential training course is..

Training: £1950 (£162.50/wk)

Accommodation and Food: £1350 (£112.50/wk)

Total: £3300

Payments are taken in three stages: pre-placement deposit, mid-placement and on completion.

2020 PAYMENT

Funding and placements

Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we can offer a number of fully funded training placements to UK residents in 2020 as part of Sharpham Trust’s Wild For People project.

The Sharpham Trust have been awarded £177,400 to make more space for wildlife and take action for nature. The 3 year Wild For People project will enhance the biodiversity of the Sharpham Estate, stretching along the River Dart outside Totnes, South Devon. Ambios are a delivery partner in this project and we are running the training and volunteering opportunities.

We are delighted to offer:

  • 2 funded placements for the Spring cohort
  • 1 funded placement for the Summer cohort
  • 1 funded placement for the Autumn cohort

*The bursary placements are eligible to those in financial hardship (eg unemployed, in receipt of benefits, low wage etc). If met, we will then be selecting trainees based on merit. If you would like to be considered for the fully funded placement please explain why you are applying for financial hardship bursary in your application.

How to apply

The 2020 applications are now open.

1.) Please complete the application form and email jackskuse@ambios.net to let him know you have applied.

2.) We will get in touch to schedule a skype chat.

3.) If we think we will be a good fit for your needs, we will offer you a place on our training programme. This will either be costed or fully funded, depending on whether you meet the *eligibility criteria.

Funded placements

We are currently advertising for 2 fully-funded training placements for the Spring traineeship (31st March – 19th June 2020). The closing date will be 12noon 21st February 2020.  Summer bursary applications will open in May. We are expecting a high number of applications for these placements. These will be allocated by merit and therefore we may only be able to offer you a place on a costed traineeship.