Further information about the apprenticeships

General

Each Natural Talent apprenticeship is a unique package providing the successful applicant with the background knowledge and skills needed to find employment in the environmental sector as an expert in their chosen field. The apprenticeships will consist of placements with our partner organisations who will provide training in skills such as species identification and habitat management, analytical and recording techniques and practical experience.

Supervision of the apprentices' training will be provided by a mentor who will be a recognised expert in their field, specialist advisers who will advise the apprentice on specific aspects of their training and placement supervisors who will line-manage the apprentice on a day to day basis.

Although each apprenticeship is different, the key features that are the same for all are:

• Mentoring from recognised specialists within the field to guide the apprentices professional development.
• Work-based placements for on the job learning and to gain practical experience.
• A development programme including opportunities for fieldwork, conference attendance, workshops and training.
• Personal project- each apprentice will complete a major project as part of their assessment.
• Personal Study- this will involve reading and researching the topic of the apprenticeship.

Funding and terms of employment

The apprenticeships are a full time job and each apprenticeship will consist of placements at different conservation, statutory or academic bodies. BTCV terms and conditions of employment will apply and apprentices will be entitled to holidays and sick leave in line with this. Each apprentice will be supported by a training bursary equivalent to £12,500 per annum and will work a standard 35-hour week, although in order to reach the high standard expected at least 10 hours of personal study a week is required.

Accreditation and qualifications

Each apprentice will have a training passport that will serve as a formal record of their professional development throughout the program and can be used as a record of achievement when applying for jobs. The training passport will include details of all assessments, the level of achievement gained and all other training undertaken throughout the apprenticeship.

Employment after the apprenticeship

Natural Talent aims to assist graduating apprentices secure employment in the environmental sector. We will provide advice on starting your own business, networking events with relevant organisations and will generally endeavour to help you achieve your employment goals in any way we can!