Outdoors opens up for trainees – marking National Apprenticeship Week

Two trainees are now forging careers based in the outdoors, as part of a scheme to promote nature, wellbeing and Outdoor Learning.

Connecting People and Nature (CPAN) is a three-year project based in Lancashire, and launched in 2023. It is being delivered jointly by education charity The Ernest Cook Trust with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

The first trainee, Abbie Hampshire, spent a year on the project employed by The Ernest Cook Trust, and was so successful she has now gone on to a new role with Forest of Bowland National Landscape, as Community Engagement Officer for CPAN.

Her successor, Theonitsa Kindyni, is now working with the Trust on the CPAN project, and is already making great new connections and taking advantage of a wealth of training opportunities.

As the UK marks National Apprenticeship Week (February 10-16), the Connecting People and Nature partners are celebrating the success in helping Abbie and Theonitsa in their chosen careers.

Vicki McDermott, The Ernest Cook Trust’s Head of Learning, Operations and Partnerships (Cumbria & Lancashire), said: “It’s great to see Abbie’s career progression, through the trajectory of connecting people with nature. Her training, alongside the experience of working with the team, has enabled her to step into her new role, which is a great success. This in turn has opened up an opportunity for Theonitsa to join.”

Theonitsa’s role includes working with schools, helping to train teachers in how they can take their curriculum outside, and working with communities to arrange sessions around the needs of the people of the group, to get them outside.

She said: “I feel this role is very interactive, with lots of opportunities for me to explore different paths, and many people for me to talk to or shadow. I would really encourage people to go into an apprenticeship, especially those who want to explore an area they are passionate about but need some scaffolding to gain experience and deeper understanding of the options available to them.”

Abbie, who became a Forest School leader during her apprenticeship, said the traineeship had given her an opportunity to follow a passion for nature and explore a new career path.

“I feel very lucky that I was able to be part of a traineeship that allowed me to explore myself and learn new skills to further my career and development.”

Abbie and Theonitsa are just two in a long line of trainees and apprentices supported by The Ernest Cook Trust, which offers practical pathways into careers based in the outdoors and in Outdoor Learning.

For more information about Connecting People and Nature project, visit https://www.forestofbowland.com/connecting-people-nature.