Keeping it Wild Traineeships

Trainees Adam, von and Nazia at Hutchinson's bank.

The Keeping it Wild Traineeships offer a unique opportunity for young people to undertake a full-time, four-month paid Traineeship based at London Wildlife Trust nature reserve. They spend time learning key skills from the London Wildlife Trust team, including valuable practical skills in urban nature conservation, community engagement, environmental conservation and communication.

Across a range of our nature reserves, Trainees have the opportunity to:

Shadow and learn from London Wildlife Trust staff.

Learn how to safely use conservation tools, how nature reserves are managed for wildlife, habitat management techniques and how to identify wildlife species.

Support the delivery of project activities including environmental education, community engagement and practical conservation.

Create media and communication pieces including blogs, videos and social media posts.

Undertake regular practical training at Trust nature reserves as well as online-based learning and training.

Work towards personal goals and objectives, including delivering their own session.

Credit Jamie Singleton

A group of people stand in a woodland area atop a ivy covered trunk

Youth Trainee Naomi using a Mattock to build a path

Here, I’m using a mattock to even out the path. We were creating steps along the path to make it more accessible.

3 young trainees taking photos of the nature on site

Me and two other trainees taking pictures of the nature on the reserve, credit Sachin

Credit Penny Dixie

An example Trainee week looks like:

Day	Type of work	Additional information
Monday	Desk-based day	Trainees have one desk-based day a week; it is a chance for them to complete desk-based tasks and research.
Tuesday	Education day	Trainees are based with an Education Officer at one of our nature reserves, supporting the delivery of education sessions with primary and secondary schools. They learn how to deliver environmental sessions for different age groups.
Wednesday	Practical conservation day	Trainees are based with a Conservation Officer or Ranger, supporting the delivery of practical conservation sessions alongside Trust volunteers. They learn how to deliver conservation sessions following health and safety and conservation management plans.
Thursday	Practical conservation day	Trainees are based with a Conservation Officer or Ranger, supporting the delivery of practical conservation sessions alongside Trust volunteers. They learn how to deliver conservation sessions following health and safety and conservation management plans.
Friday	Nature Tots and site support	AM - Trainees are based with an Education Sessional at Walthamstow Wetlands supporting the delivery of Nature Tots (nature education and exploration for 18 months – 5 years). PM – Trainees support Walthamstow Wetlands staff with reserve management.

It's so hard to say what was most valuable, it was all very valuable. Working with the volunteers, I loved the practical conservation days, it made me feel so strong, like physical work that I've never really done before.

Former Trainee 2024

What I enjoyed the most was the education sessions. Being with people leading the sessions and seeing the different styles of teaching. And doing the urban nature club, which we all lead sessions, I really enjoyed that.

Former Trainee 2024

It's not just the practical parts of it, but also being able to work with the comms team, to actually get involved in that side of things. A lot of jobs want you to have that experience, even if you're working outside. So I really liked that. I didn't expect to have that opportunity.

Former Trainee 2024

I have really enjoyed the varied aspects of the traineeship which meant I got to try so many different things that I had never done before/ didn’t know that I would enjoy – for example working with children, surveying, community engagement, and doing practical things that I have never done before like fixing fencing. The knowledge I have gained and the training I have had has meant that I've been successful in getting a role after the traineeship. This role is the same as the roles I was applying to before the traineeship (and not hearing back from) so it shows that the traineeship is great at kickstarting a conservation career, as it gives the training and skills that employers want for entry level roles. I also think that the traineeship has given me great confidence in my abilities and skills, showing me that I can go onto an environmental career, as before I wasn’t sure if this would happen.

Former Trainee 2024