The future looks bright for the green spaces of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, as a new grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), awarded under its Skills for the Future programme*, will enable young people to be trained in traditional nature conservation skills. The Wildlife Trust for Sheffield and Rotherham, along with partners Yorkshire and Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts, will provide on-the-job training to 16 young people starting in April 2011. The full-time, year long placements will be open to 16-19 year olds and will involve learning skills such as dry-stone walling, woodland coppicing, hedgelaying and species identification. Trainees will also work towards an NVQ qualification and benefit from a bursary allowance.
The funding comes at a time when traditional heritage skills are in danger of being lost and ever greater pressure is placed on our green spaces by housing development, so it is vital they are protected for the benefit of wildlife and for future generations to enjoy. In addition, the current economic climate means it is increasingly challenging for young people to find work and begin meaningful careers. This problem was emphasised by Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, who said: "When the recession kicked-in last year we thought very hard about how the Heritage Lottery Fund could make a difference to people’s lives at a time of real need.  The answer was an innovative and ambitious programme focusing on equipping people with practical skills to help them secure future employment."
Stephen Carding, the Placements Co-ordinator at The Wildlife Trust for Sheffield and Rotherham added: “Currently, 16-19 year olds are underrepresented in the conservation sector as they tend to be in competition for jobs with university graduates. This project aims to redress the balance by providing them with the skills and experience they need to kick-start their careers. The ‘green jobs’ sector is set to grow over the next 20 years so these young people will be ideally placed to take advantage of this situation”
Young people will be able to apply to the scheme from January 2011, and further information will be published on The Wildlife Trust for Sheffield and Rotherham website. You can also register your interest by calling 0114 2634335