Countryside Worker Apprentice

Summary

You will be working as a Countryside Worker Apprentice, developing practical skills and a deep knowledge about heritage and countryside site maintenance within the Cornwall Heritage Trust.

Wage

£18,200 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Countryside worker (level 2)

Hours

Primarily Monday- Friday but may include some evenings and weekends. Times to be confirmed.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 20 October 2025

Duration

1 year

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Working within the Cornwall Heritage Trust Sites team, with their rangers, volunteers and other local community interest groups
Habitat creation, monitoring of biodiversity and encouraging further initiatives
Preserve and protect Cornwall’s natural habitat and biodiversity at heritage sites
Always be an Ambassador for the Cornwall Heritage Trust and positively promote the aims of the wider organisation
Maintain a safe working environment at all times for self, colleagues and members of the public
Maintenance of grass and vegetation at a variety of heritage locations, including open access land, coast paths, sites and trails
Select and utilise the correct equipment and tools to carry out works efficiently
Understand and work within specific project specifications and contract expectations
Build and repair a variety of boundaries including fences, walls and hedging
Maintaining footpaths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders
The type of surface and associated gates, stiles and bridges depending on the use, terrain and landscape

Where you'll work

G03 PERCY WILLIAMS BUILDING
KROWJI
WEST PARK
REDRUTH
TR15 3AJ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE

Your training course

Countryside worker (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Manage habitats using a range of specialist techniques such as coppicing, hedge laying, river/stream bank stabilisation and establishing native plants, using appropriate tools and equipment. This could also include new and developing sustainable practices such as using natural materials to manage excessive rainfall (in constructing leaky dams and bale dams) and subsequently manage erosion and flood damage.
Construct or repair boundaries including different fencing types (such as post and rail, stock fencing), hedging (establishing a new hedge or laying an existing hedge) and dry stone walling depending on the geographic location/landscape and local natural materials.
Construct or maintain access ways, for example a path surface using aggregate, stone pitching, slabs, bark, concrete or tarmac. This will include the skills to ensure that the path surface drains properly.
Manage vegetation in a range of different situations, for example strimming pathways, using pesticides, managing trees and hedgerows, eradicating invasive species in order to conserve native flora and fauna.
Construct and /or maintain site furniture for access and interpretation. For example, bridges, gates, stiles, boardwalks, signs/waymarks or information boards using sustainable materials where possible. This will involve both following standard methods and also undertaking site specific design. For example, installing a gate on a sloping field will involve modifying the standard method, while every river or stream crossing while require a different design.
Use a range of hand tools and powered tools safely such as hammers, panel saws, levels, drills, strimmers or chainsaws, hold the relevant certification for powered equipment and undertake the routine maintenance of the tools used.
Problem solving: be resourceful in finding solutions to problems that may arise in day to day work and know when to ask a supervisor for advice.
Identify a range of British flora and fauna native to the specific local area e.g. commonly seen birds, mammals, insects, herbs, flowers, trees or fungi to determine the appropriate habitat management needed.
Undertake surveys which feed in to site management plans and work plans, for example, survey habitats and species, numbers of visitors, the condition of Rights of Way or structures/furniture.
Write a simple dynamic risk assessment and be able to use it on site. Use the risk assessment as the basis of working safely; understanding the hazards on the site and involved in the wide range of practical tasks undertaken by Countryside Workers. Know how to reduce these risks to an acceptable level for themselves, the public and colleagues through using safe working practices and wearing personal protective equipment.
Communicate effectively in a range of situations e.g. through face to face interaction, electronic communication, telephoning or presenting to members of the public, contractors, colleagues or landowners.

Your training plan

Work is 100% in the workplace with Assessor visits and online tutorials
An optional block week can be added, if required

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

inc English & maths (grade (Grade 9 to 2 (A* to E)))

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Physical fitness
Resilient
Adaptable
Enjoy working outdoors

Other requirements

The role involves working outdoors and being physically fit.

About this company

Cornwall Heritage Trust was founded in 1985 to “preserve and strengthen” (“gwytha ha crefhe”) Cornwall’s rich and distinct heritage. We own or manage some of the most iconic and important historic places in Cornwall. We are proud to have HRH The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall as our Royal Patron and Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE as our President. Our heritage objectives are to: • Acquire land of particular beauty, historic, cultural or religious significance; • Preserve and restore buildings, artefacts or other items of particular artistic, aesthetic, historic, cultural, religious or other significance. • Educate the general public and the people of Cornwall, and inspire not least Cornwall’s young people, about Cornwall’s heritage and to encourage the realisation of its importance to future generations. To promote, with sensitivity, the heritage of Cornwall for the people of Cornwall’s economic well being; and to raise funds and achieve favourable publicity to these ends.

http://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

By working with us your benefits will include: · Cornwall Heritage Trust Membership. Holiday entitlement· Investment and support in your continuous training and development.

After this apprenticeship

Apprenticeships provide critical skills such as problem-solving, effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability
They are viewed as a vital pathway for workforce development

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