Apprentice park ranger scheme returns to South Downs

SOUTH Downs National Park has welcomed a new group of apprentice rangers as the scheme returns.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 11th Feb 2020, 16:35 BST
Updated 11th Feb 2020, 16:35 BST
Picture (l to r): Thomas Light, Sam Smith, Madeline Crews, and Gemma North at the South Downs Centre.Picture (l to r): Thomas Light, Sam Smith, Madeline Crews, and Gemma North at the South Downs Centre.
Picture (l to r): Thomas Light, Sam Smith, Madeline Crews, and Gemma North at the South Downs Centre.

The park has has added three new ranger apprentices, one planning apprentice, and one facilities management apprentice to work across its 260 square miles of scenic landscape.

Apprentice Ranger Gemma North, from Waterlooville, who works in the Central Downs around Chichester, said: ‘I had worked for the National Park for over five years, primarily on the administration side, before I started the apprenticeship.

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‘I decided to take it up as I had wanted to become a ranger since I first met one of the National Park Rangers at an induction day back in April 2014.’

Trevor Beattie, chief executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: ‘This innovative programme is aimed at teaching young people some of the core skills needed to care for our landscapes and wildlife, as well as help more people to enjoy the National Park.’

The National Park’s apprentice programme will open for new applicants in June.

Related topics:ChichesterWaterlooville