Apprenticeship training course

Countryside worker (level 2)

There are 20 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.

Information about Countryside worker (level 2)

Carry out specific environmental and conservation tasks.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Conservation: how habitats and vegetation are managed to promote conservation. The different types of management used and which is appropriate depending on the location, for example, woodland/wetland/hedgerow management.
  • Ecology: the principles behind how our flora and fauna (both native and non-native) live and survive and how this knowledge is used practically when carrying out habitat management work effectively.
  • The principles of boundary management: how the different types of boundaries (hedges, fences, walls) relate to their location and usage; how their management varies depending on the area and their function.
  • The principles of access management: the legal status of a Right of Way and Open Access to the Countryside legislation. The different types of surfaces (aggregate, paving, woodchip, pitching) and furniture/structures (such as gates, bridges, boardwalks, benches, bins) and their suitability for different areas and usage such as multi user access paths.
  • Common farming practices: practical conservation work and farming support each other. A knowledge of the farming calendar, for example, lambing and harvest affects both the timing and the nature of conservation work that is carried out.
  • Land management: how conservation work complements/interacts with other land management uses such as recreation, game keeping, tourism and estate management.
  • Surveys: the common techniques which can be used to carry out a range of surveys to help determine the nature of work on habitat or access management in a particular location.
  • Countryside legislation: the major pieces of legislation that govern the use of the countryside, such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act, Environmental Protection Act and the Countryside Rights of Way Act
  • Designations: conservation designations in the UK, for example, National Nature Reserves, National Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
  • Climate change: the way increased rainfall and higher temperatures impact upon the countryside, conservation practices, habitats, flora, fauna and water levels and how we can go about managing these changes at local/national level.
  • Sustainability: understanding environmental best practice and the importance of using products from the local area or from sustainable sources such as wood from Forest Stewardship Council woodlands.
  • Map reading: navigating in the countryside using a map and compass in areas where satellite navigation is unreliable.
  • Health and safety: understanding clearly the risks inherent in carrying out tasks such as building a fence, surfacing a footpath and cutting back vegetation. This should be complemented by knowing how to write risk assessments, carry out manual handling safely and when personal protective equipment should be worn. Equally as important is recognising the potential risks to the public and knowing how to mitigate these.
  • First Aid: practical first aid techniques for use in outdoor situations.
  • Pollution: the environmental impact of conservation work, for example, the use of vehicles, fuel for machinery, dealing with waste materials and how to improve working practices to benefit the environment.

  Skills

  • 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.

  Behaviours

  • Enthusiasm for the countryside and environment: a positive approach to working outdoors, and undertaking practical tasks in all weathers.
  • Work ethic: reliability and punctuality, commitment, diligence and a pride in doing a job well.
  • Work constructively: both within a team environment and be self-motivated as a lone worker; be comfortable working both with other paid colleagues as well as unpaid volunteers.
  • Flexibility and adaptability: to working locations, hours and requirements, including changes in weather conditions, situations and working environment.
  • Skills development: responsibility for continual personal skills development.
  • Communication and behaviour: appropriate behaviour with a wide range of people including colleagues, landowners, contractors and other professionals and the public.
  • Safety conscious: promoting safe working practices for themselves and others.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Agriculture, environmental and animal care
• Qualification level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 12 months
• Maximum funding: £4,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Estate Worker
  • Access Ranger
  • Maintenance Ranger
  • Site Warden
  • Assistant Ranger
  • Field Operative
  • Volunteer Leader
  • Countryside Worker

View more information about Countryside worker (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.