Apprentice Stories
Daisy, Countryside Apprentice, Now Assistant Countryside Officer
I am a Countryside Apprentice with Test Valley Borough Council based in Andover. I am currently studying a level 2 in Environmental conservation with Sparsholt College. I am responsible for maintaining the Local Nature reserve and green spaces in Test Valley. This includes surveying for animals such as Dormice (which are nationally scarce) butterflies and bats, and managing vegetation to create and maintain the best habitats possible. We aim to provide access to sites to help maintain people’s wellbeing which has been vital as well as creating safe and appropriate habitats to support wildlife.
Working at the Council has been incredible. The Community and Leisure team were so welcoming and made starting in what I thought would be an intimidating environment, really enjoyable. The Heads of Service and Chief Executive are all really approachable as well which gives a good atmosphere to work in.
I always struggled to find fulfilment in working in classrooms or offices. When I was in college, I was always happiest when I was out doing practical work and able to physically see the changes I made to something to improve it. I knew I needed a gap from lecture halls and classrooms but wanted to continue in education so this was the perfect opportunity for me.
When I started, I knew more about the biology of exotic animals than I did about what species a tree is. I’ve learnt how to survey for animals and plants and how to handle animals such as dormice which I had never seen in the flesh before starting. I’ve learnt how to use and maintain equipment such as hedge cutters and strimmer’s as well as bow saws and bill hooks. I’ve learnt what coppicing is (I had never heard of it before!) and now that’s part of my every day job in the winter. I love just being outside. There’s nothing like it. Nature has been neglected and abused in the past, so I find pride in seeing my work change the environment for the better.
My apprenticeship allows me to put into practice what I am learning. So while I am gaining knowledge on the subject, I am also able to develop the practical skills along with it. Almost anyone is able to regurgitate information but knowing how to put it into practice is a different matter- and that’s definitely been a learning curve for me- nothings ever really textbook.
Test Valley Borough Council and my manager have supported me by giving me the time out of work to attend classes and encouraging me to leave at least an hour a week for me to do any college work I need to. You get to put your theory into practice and develop so many skills that you might miss out on being solely classroom based. Plus…you get paid, best of both worlds.
I have found a real passion for my job and so I would love to continue along this path as well as getting my degree in Environmental Science or conservation.