Name: Gregor Stuart
Job title: Field Assistant
Training: Level 2 Work Based Diploma in Environmental Conservation (15 month Apprenticeship with NYMNPA)
Location: Lives in Newton-Upon-Rawcliffe, works in The National Park Moors Centre and the 554 square mile National Park
Building chainsaw skills, dry-stone walls and a career!
Ever since I was old enough to run about the woods and fields, I have wanted to work outside for a living. I tried to go to college when I left school, but soon found out that it wasn’t for me. Originally from the Scottish Borders I have family in Yorkshire and when I found out about the Apprenticeship programme with the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA), I moved to Yorkshire to stay with family to try and get on an Apprenticeship.
My Apprenticeship with the NYMNPA is so good because I am learning traditional outdoor skills on the job, from people who have been doing the work for years. I have been trained to build bridges, fences, paths, stiles, steps and install gates. I’ve completed habitat management work, dry-stone walling and received City and Guilds certificates in maintaining and using chainsaws, professional pesticides, quad bikes. I now use all these skills to complete work in areas that interest me.
Working as part of a team of six apprentices, led by our Apprenticeship Supervisor, has made my Apprenticeship even better as we are all roughly the same age and all interested in the same area of work. We help each other out and work together to overcome any problems.
Over the course of my Apprenticeship, I have been able to promote Apprenticeships to other young people through newspapers, radio and as part of #247Apprentice with the National Apprenticeship Service earlier this year. This is important to me as I believe that Apprenticeships are the best way to learn the skills you need for the job that you want.
After completing my apprenticeship, I managed to get my dream job, working as Field Staff with the NYMNPA. I am now putting all of my training to good use, looking after this beautiful area. If anybody is thinking about doing an Apprenticeship instead of college or university, I would highly recommend it.
For more information about Apprenticeships watch this ‘How to apply for an Apprenticeship’ film, download the Av Search app to search for Apprenticeship vacancies whilst on the move, or visit apprenticeships.org.uk
