Wherever you are at in your career take it further with an apprenticeship

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By Caroline Price, Countryside Events and Communications Manager

Surrey County Council is a great place to work for all generations whether you're starting your career or fancying a change! Whether you are just leaving education, changing careers or returning to work - if what you're looking for is a long and lasting career - then this is your chance to receive excellent training and personal development.

You don't have to be a school leaver or a young person to start an apprenticeship.

Two people measuring wood in a woodland — Alfie, countryside apprentice at work in Surrey’s countryside (Surrey County Council)

Surrey County Council’s apprenticeship scheme provides a perfect way to earn a wage while you gain vital work experience and a nationally recognised qualification. When you have completed, we can offer support to seek future employment.

You will be fully supported and mentored through your apprenticeship and be given protected time to complete your course work.

Countryside apprenticeships at Surrey County Council

For those with a passion for the outdoors and a desire to make a real difference in their local community, our countryside apprenticeships within our Countryside Access Team offer a career pathway for young people to gain hands-on experience while developing skills that will set them up for a successful career.

Surrey’s Countryside Access Team plays a vital role in maintaining and improving the county’s 3501 kilometres (2175 miles) of footpaths, bridleways, and byways and are responsible for the management and maintenance of this network.

As an apprentice, young people will gain valuable experience in conservation, land management, and countryside maintenance—all while working in some of the most beautiful natural spaces Surrey has to offer, a perfect way to kickstart an exciting career in Surrey’s breathtaking countryside.

Benefits of a countryside apprenticeship

A person in a wooded area sawing on a blue ground sheet — Alfie, countryside apprentice at work in Surrey’s countryside (Surrey County Council)

The mix of learning practical skills on the job backed up by theory and coursework helps to build a sustainable, diverse land-based workforce, ready to meet the future challenges of our changing environment.

Earn While You Learn: Apprentices will be paid a salary while undertaking accredited qualifications, ensuring they gain both theoretical and practical knowledge without incurring student debt.

Hands-On Training: Working alongside experienced professionals, apprentices will learn skills such as path maintenance, bridge construction, vegetation clearance, and habitat management.

Career Progression: Apprentices will gain qualifications that open doors to future roles in land management, environmental conservation, or public sector work.

Supportive Environment: Surrey County Council is committed to nurturing its apprentices, providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for personal growth.

Making a Difference: This is a chance to contribute to the local community by improving access to nature for residents and visitors alike, delivering the Council’s ‘Surrey Way’ and ensuring no one is left behind.

What is it like being a countryside apprentice?

Alfie Taylor joined Surrey County Council as a Level 4 Countryside Apprentice in summer 2024 in the Countryside Access, Maintenance and Enforcement team. His role is a mix of practical on-site work, desk-based tasks and learning. Much of Alfie’s work is reactive, responding to issues and incidents across the rights of way network that have been reported in by members of the public. Each day is varied from practical on the ground tasks such as path clearance and resurfacing to project managing, running volunteer tasks and liaising with landowners.

Alfie comments: “This role was the perfect opportunity to gain hands on practical conservation and rights of way work whilst also gaining a qualification in an area that I am passionate about. I love working with volunteers on practical tasks and negotiating with landowners. So far it has been a great learning opportunity and, in the future, I hope to go on to become a ranger permanently, making an impactful, tangible and positive change to the countryside. “

Three people in a woodland clearing with a large grey dog — Alfie, countryside apprentice at work in Surrey’s countryside (Surrey County Council)

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

Surrey County Council’s apprenticeship scheme is designed for individuals who are:

16 or over by the end of the summer holidays (you can apply for an apprenticeship while you are still at school),
living and entitled to work in England, and
are not in full-time education.

Qualifications and levels of apprenticeships

Apprenticeships range from level 2 to level 7 and take one to five years to complete depending on the level.

Intermediate

Level 2 - equivalent to GCSEs.

This typically takes 15 to 18 months and if you don't have GCSEs in English and maths, you'll usually be required to study these subjects.

Advanced

Level 3 - equivalent to 2 A levels

Typically, apprenticeship at level 3 take approximately 15-18 months and you will also need to have two or more GCSEs (or the equivalent), grades A to C. If you haven't already attained level 2 English and maths, you will complete functional skills alongside your apprenticeship.

Higher

A higher apprenticeship is a great alternative to full time higher education and are often delivered in partnership with Universities. Some even include integrated degrees. It enables you to gain valuable on-the-job experience and a work-based degree while earning, avoiding student loan debts. It is for individuals of all ages who are not in full time education. You can undertake this apprenticeship even if you have a degree already, as long as the apprenticeship is in a different specialist subject.

Level 4 and 5 - equivalent to a higher education certificate/diploma or a foundation degree
Level 6 - equivalent to an undergraduate degree
Level 7 - equivalent to a post-graduate degree

Typically, apprenticeships at these levels take between 14 to 60 months.

Assessment and support

A training provider will guide you through your qualification and provide you with a skills coach who will help you plan tasks and projects to complete your qualification and mark the work that you do.

You will work closely alongside a colleague/mentor who will support your personal development. You will also be allocated a buddy to help you.

Much of your learning will be in the workplace, where you will work shadow colleagues and acquire the practical skills, knowledge and behaviours needed in a busy working environment. Most apprenticeships offer a blended learning approach comprising workshops, distance learning and one to one delivery.

Become an apprentice - Surrey County Council