Students learn about land, nature, and heritage careers with local employers
Young people from across six Cumbrian schools came together with 34 local employers in Grasmere on Thursday, 2 July to learn about skills and careers in the environment and heritage sector.
Organised by the Lake District National Park Authority in partnership with the Land and Nature Skills Service and Enterprising Cumbria, the Green Careers and Skills event was attended by organisations and individuals from across the National Park and beyond, representing nature and built heritage conservation, land and natural resource management.
Against the backdrop of fells and traditional slate buildings of the Lake District National Park World Heritage Site, students were able to immerse themselves in green careers such as heritage surveying and environmental conservation. They were also able to question environment, farming and heritage professionals and get involved in practical activities such as dry-stone walling, hurdle making, hedge laying and lime plastering.
Ruth Suddaby, Learning and Engagement Manager for the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “We are incredibly grateful to all the organisations and businesses who supported the event – showcasing the skills, training and career pathways into this important sector. We wanted young people to be aware of the amazing career opportunities on their doorstep and be inspired to live and work in our amazing county.”
Feedback from the pupils who attended was overwhelmingly positive, with comments including “I really enjoyed the experience. It gave me a good idea of what I might do in the future!” and “learnt a lot about the area and I have had lots of fun”.
The day was structured in line with a new curriculum designed to enhance students’ career knowledge and allow them a smoother transition into the workplace.
Lauren Jackson, Employer Engagement Project Lead for Enterprising Cumbria, said:
“Enterprising Cumbria and Cumbria Careers Hub partnered on the Green Careers and Skills event with the National Park Authority to help develop it into a work experience project. We worked with the National Park Authority to make sure the activities were meaningful and fitted into the Equalex framework which helps schools provide structured, inclusive and meaningful work experience through multiple employer encounters over a student’s education.
“The employers provided a task for students to complete, and it’s been amazing to see so many students engaged in real-life rural, green and heritage activities and having quality conversations with local employers.”
Claire Andrews, Head of Community Engagement at Natural Environment Research Council which helped to fund events on the day, said:
“Inspiring the future workforce to learn rural skills, ensure future food security, sustain local economies, and protect our natural environment is vital for the future prosperity of the UK.
“The Natural Environment Research Council, part of UKRI, were extremely pleased to have the opportunity to support the National Parks in bringing together young people from the secondary schools in the surrounding area of the Lake District National Park to capture hearts, motivate minds, inspire action to ensure environmental resilience for local economies.
“Green careers days like these and inspiring young people to consider what skills are needed for the future helps communities to ‘advance knowledge, improves lives, and drive growth.”
Find out more about learning and engagement sessions with the National Park Authority by visiting www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/learning.
