Apprenticeship

There are a range of countryside apprenticeships to choose from, including Countryside Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, Forest Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship and Countryside Ranger Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

You can find them and explore the progression pathways for these on the Agricultural, environmental and animal care apprenticeship maps.

College

You could take a course at an agricultural college to learn some of the skills needed in this job. Courses include: arboriculture, countryside management, countryside and environment, T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production.

Job options

You could apply for a position as an assistant ranger in a national park or with an organisation like the National Trust. Once working, you may be offered the opportunity to do further training to become a ranger. You’ll be expected to have some paid or voluntary experience of working in the countryside or conservation, and a love of working outdoors. You could get useful experience by volunteering through:
Forestry England
National Parks UK
The Wildlife Trusts
The Conservation Volunteers
Countryside Jobs Service
Trees for Cities
The Tree Council

University

You don’t need a degree to move into this career, but if you were interested in the academic side, you could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for a countryside officer job. Relevant courses include: environmental studies, rural resource management, countryside management and conservation.