Over the years, the Kent Countryside Partnerships have thrived from providing Traineeships for those wanting to explore roles in the Countryside. This has proven to be a great asset to our teams whilst providing an individual specialised training and real hands-on experience for the trainee.

We have had an excellent success rate and have employed most of our trainees, with one even grateful for the opportunity as it allowed them to decide the role was not for them without fully committing themselves.

Our Project Officer at Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, Annie speaks first hand from her own experience as a trainee.

‘My name is Annie and I was taken on as a trainee Countryside Partnership Officer in 2015. I had been heavily involved in the countryside already as a farmer’s daughter, a ranger at a nature reserve, as a woodland worker and I already had an MSc in Countryside Management.

Unfortunately, I had suffered a personal tragedy and had moved around counties which knocked my confidence immensely, which is why I took an interest in the traineeship.

My commitment to the traineeship was 3 days a week, being fully flexible during the week. As a single mother, it was important for me to be able to have time for my child and continue with my paid role alongside the traineeship.

The traineeship itself was hands on and practical. I worked alongside the volunteers undertaking various tasks depending on what was required, my manager wanted to ensure that the role allowed some scope for me to discover what I was good at and what I enjoyed. I continued to lead the volunteer groups and spent a lot of time looking at River Restoration.

I was employed permanently as a Project Officer at the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership after I completed the traineeship and I have enjoyed being part of the team ever since.’