New Forest National Parks: developing a green careers network
Alistair Higgs and Hayden Bridgeman are developing their green career pathway in the New Forest National Park.
As well as being part of a team founding a green careers network in the area, they are passionate about sharing the value of protected landscapes with others and championing youth voice in National Parks across the UK.
Alistair is currently completing an apprenticeship in Environmental conservation having completed a degree in chemistry and unsure of what to pursue next.
“I have enjoyed every moment of this apprenticeship so far, and I’ve never felt so at home in work as I do now. Whilst I do not entirely regret my journey through A-Levels and university, I believe that something like a Natural History GCSE would have opened my eyes to the possibility of a future in conservation, and would’ve encouraged me to explore the careers that are available in this field, thereby avoiding the slightly uneasy step backwards from degree to apprenticeship.
Looking back, the subjects available to study at school were, for me, the most influential parts of making a decision about my next step in education or work. Due to the relatively small selection of subjects on offer at school, I didn’t even consider university courses or apprenticeships that were outside of what I was familiar with, as I didn’t think I’d be able to successfully adapt to such a change. I think that it will be hugely beneficial for young people to not only have the option to study and understand our place in nature, but also to start thinking seriously about how they can use this knowledge to help humanity readjust its course towards a more sustainable and compassionate future.”
Hayden is currently North Area Ranger for the New Forest National Park Authority. Having done voluntary and seasonal roles for turtle conservation charities abroad and then completing an apprenticeship with the NFNPA in 2018 - she has since gone on to be an assistant ranger at a Hampshire Country park before returning to the NFNPA in her current role.
“I, like Alistair, found myself finishing University with a lack of passion and enthusiasm for what I had studied. I chose to study photography at University after feeling lost throughout my A-levels and I really hoped by the end of my three year degree I’d have some clarity – but sadly that didn’t come.
I only found my love for the environment and drive to protect it through volunteering, having gone through all my studies and a couple of quarter life crises and I do often wonder what life would have looked like had I had the opportunity to study towards a green career sooner. The ‘green’ sector is vast and I think the natural history GCSE would be the perfect formal introduction to this field.
Subjects at school are key for sparking your interests in your next steps and a GCSE in Natural History fills a gap in the curriculum to connect young people with nature and enable them to explore opportunities that aren’t available on other GCSE courses.”
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