Ever considered volunteering?

PR 1403 19 July 2010 Ever considered volunteering? Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, is encouraging young people to consider volunteering this summer as a way to strengthen their CVs for work and study. Chris Catchpole, Lantra’s Careers Manager, said: “Taking voluntary work in a veterinary clinic, on a farm, in a garden centre or in a park is a great way to gain experience, improve your skills, develop contacts and grow in confidence. And at an interview for a job or university place further down the line, voluntary work demonstrates a keen interest in the area.” Lantra estimates around half a million people volunteer within the environmental and land-based sector across the UK. Most volunteers choose forestry, landscaping, fencing, conservation or animal care. Chris added: “For many, volunteering provides an opportunity to road test different types of work in all sorts of industries, while making the individual more employable. Volunteering is an excellent way for people to increase their confidence and learn new skills. If someone has a clear idea about the type of career they want to follow, then volunteering is a great way to give them some experience and could even give them the edge at a college, university or job interview.” Lantra says volunteers also help businesses with fresh ideas and a spare pair of hands to help out. In addition, it can be a great way to recruit new employees. Katy Nicholson, 22, had the right qualifications in Conservation, Biology and Ecology, but lacked work experience. She found volunteering with the National Trust was the answer. She said: “After I left university I found it hard to get a job in the conservation industry. So last year I started volunteering with the National Trust on its estate in Eskdale, in the Lake District, which is near to home.” The chance to volunteer on the estate has given Katy experience in a range of countryside management skills from dry stone walling to felling trees – she discovered she wanted to work as a forrester. “In this industry it’s a chicken and egg situation. You can’t get jobs without experience and you can’t get experience unless you have a job,” she said. “So volunteering for a year and fast-tracking my skills development by taking up courses like the chainsaw qualification will, I hope, make me a better candidate when I go for job interviews and help me get on the conservation career ladder.” ENDS ISSUED BY: Lantra Press Office – Richard Fern, Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator, Tel: 02467 696996 ext304 or email media@lantra.co.uk. EDITORS NOTES: • Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector, is licensed by the UK Government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector. • Lantra represents 17 industries and 1.5 million workers and volunteers in agricultural crops, agricultural livestock, animal care, animal technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game and wildlife management, land-based engineering, landscape, production horticulture, trees and timber and veterinary nursing. For more information see www.lantra.co.uk

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