Belfast Hills Partnership are delighted to announce the return of their FREE Trainee Ranger Scheme for young people between the ages of 18-25.
Returning for the seventh year running, the highly successful Trainee Ranger Scheme offers young people aged 18-25 an opportunity to boost both their employability and wellbeing. Whilst providing practical experience in the environmental sector, the scheme also aims to improve the health and wellbeing of those taking part by getting them out into nature and forging friendships with other participants.
Last year’s participants & facilitators celebrating the National Lottery’s Cross-Finger Selfie Day on top of Cave Hill .
The Trainee Ranger Scheme is aimed at young people who want to gain skills and qualifications that will help them move on to employment or further training. No prior experience is necessary. Training is provided, so all abilities and backgrounds are welcome.
Weekly tasks include tree planting, habitat management and wildlife surveys. Participants will also receive a Wild Youth Award and gain a Lantra accreditation in the use of strimmers and brushcutters.
Belfast Hills Partnership Manager Lizzy Pinkerton had this to say:
Our goal with the Trainee Ranger Scheme is to help tackle issues young people are facing in a positive way. It is long established that getting close to nature and the outdoors improves health and wellbeing. This is one of the overarching aims of the Scheme; to get young people outdoors, connecting with the natural environment and each other. Previous groups have made lifelong friends as a result of the Scheme.
Silvia Galli, the Youth Development Officer at the Belfast Hills Partnership, said:
I feel really excited to start another year of the Trainee Rangers Scheme. I am looking forward to meeting a new group of young people who are passionate about pursuing a career in the green sector and I’m delighted to be here to support them in this journey. It is very rewarding to see past participants secure employment and pursue further education in a range of environmental roles as a result of joining the Scheme.
Past participants of the Scheme have gone on to secure employment with groups such as Belfast Hills Partnership, RSPB, Ulster Wildlife and Field Studies Council.
We welcome hardworking and enthusiastic individuals aged 18 – 25 who may be unemployed, or looking to gain work experience and increase their employability skills. The Scheme is also for people who want to work outdoors and do their bit to care for nature. If this sounds like you simply follow the application instructions below.
Application Process to the Trainee Ranger Scheme
The deadline for applications is Tuesday 10th September 2024. The scheme itself starts on Tuesday 1st October, and takes place every Tuesday for fifteen weeks (with a break at Halloween and Christmas) from 10am to 3pm.
To apply download an application form at the bottom of the page and follow instructions. For more information email silvia.galli@belfasthills.org or phone the Belfast Hills Partnership office on 028 9060 3466.
The Trainee Ranger Scheme is part of Wild Youth, a joint project between the Belfast Hills Partnership and Ulster Wildlife, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund NI and Breedon Group. Wild Youth delivers wild wellbeing sessions with young people in and around the Belfast Hills, using nature to improve their physical and mental health.
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