Harry Jenkins, KWT apprentice

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2025

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2025

Apprenticeships open doors to careers that might otherwise feel out of reach, offering hands-on experience, training, and a real sense of purpose. As National Apprenticeship Week 2025 shines a spotlight on these opportunities, I want to share my journey as a Kent Wildlife Trust apprentice, a role that has shaped my skills, deepened my passion for conservation, and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to protecting our natural world.

From volunteering in conservation to securing this apprenticeship, my path has been both exciting and eye-opening. In this blog, I’ll take you through my experience, the invaluable skills I’ve gained, and why I believe apprenticeships like this are crucial for the future of conservation.

My journey as a Kent Wildlife Trust apprentice by Harry Jenkins 

When I first came across the Kent Wildlife Trust apprenticeship, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me. I had been volunteering in conservation and absolutely loved the work, being outdoors all day, working with nature, and making a tangible difference. My friends and family members sent me the job advert, and as soon as I saw it, I applied straight away. 

Apprenticeships like this are rare. Many similar roles in conservation are long-term voluntary positions, making it difficult for people to enter the profession without financial backing. This apprenticeship gave me the chance to start at entry level while gaining both academic knowledge and hands-on practical skills, a combination that is invaluable in this field. 

Since starting, I have improved massively. Not only have I gained qualifications in using machinery, but I’ve also developed practical skills such as fencing, habitat management, and hedge-laying. My understanding of our sites and local wildlife is expanding every day. Additionally, meeting so many people across the organisation has helped me appreciate how the trust operates and how many dedicated individuals contribute to delivering our conservation goals. 

The work itself is incredibly rewarding. Seeing the immediate impact of our efforts and then returning to find wildlife thriving in those areas is hugely satisfying. The people I work with make the job even more enjoyable, and the livestock always provide some entertainment along the way! 

I would highly recommend this apprenticeship to anyone looking to get into conservation. The level of training and hands-on experience provided ensures that even those with little prior experience can develop the skills needed to become a capable countryside ranger. 

National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the value of apprenticeships, and I’m proud to be part of a program that is making a real difference for both people and nature. If you’re considering a career in conservation, I’d say “go for it!” 

Our apprentice Martin Dobinson also shared his experience

I wanted to retrain and change careers, and the apprenticeship was a fantastic way for me to do that. It has allowed me to step into a career that better suits my interests, skills, and capabilities. Every day, I’m learning something new, building on the skills I’ve developed, and forming great working relationships with colleagues and volunteers.

I really enjoy the variety, no two days have been the same. Meeting and getting to know so many like-minded people at Kent Wildlife Trust has been a highlight; everyone has been incredibly friendly and genuinely invested in my personal development.

I would absolutely recommend an apprenticeship. It’s been the perfect way for me to start a career in conservation, and the amount of learning, guidance, and support I’ve received has been invaluable.