If you are passionate about improving and conserving the environment around you, and are keen to learn more, gaining a nationally recognised qualification could be your ideal starting point!

There are lots of opportunities for those looking to work or volunteer in the countryside, and most people who do this kind of work all share a few things in common – a love of the great outdoors, a passion for nature and wildlife and a desire to make the countryside a better place. And what better way to make a living that by spending it doing something you love!

Working in the countryside can involve:

• Performing research and conducting surveys
• Writing reports
• Supporting environmental events and projects
• Dealing with complaints
• Maintaining the footpaths and other facilities such as car parks and litter bins

It goes without saying that the work can be physically demanding and you must be happy working outside at all times of the year.

Getting into the profession

Relevant work experience and qualifications will help you a great deal as job positions are often competitive. You could look for opportunities to volunteer at local parks or conservation charities to build up your portfolio of experience.

If you are looking to gain more knowledge to give yourself a solid grounding in countryside practices and principles you may wish to consider undertaking a formal qualification such as the City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment.

You will look at a variety of topics such as ecological surveys, the conservation of British habitats, countryside access and recreation and urban habitat ecology and more.

Funding your training

If you are looking to undertake The College of Animal Welfare’s Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment qualification, we have a monthly payment scheme meaning you can spread out the cost of studying if need be.  Course fees can be found on our website.

Career prospects

Jobs working in the countryside are wide and varied ranging from countryside officer and site manager roles to research and ecology.

The Countryside Jobs Service (CJS) is a great place to start to look at the kind of roles available.

Further information

If you are thinking about studying the Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment course and have any questions please call our Customer Advice Team on 01480 422060 / admin@caw.ac.uk for a chat. We are happy to talk you through your options and try to answer any questions you may have.