Create
opportunities
Do you want to join us in
creating change across the environmental sector?
We empower you to create impactful, accessible,
entry-level opportunities for young people, where they can bring their passion and enthusiasm to supporting your vital work.
We’ll work with you to build your capacity and become a more inclusive and diverse organisation that represents the communities you serve. You’ll be helping to grow the next generation of environmental talent, build your capacity to achieve your aims, becoming an organisation that truly represents the communities you serve.
How it works
As a host organisation, you’ll employ a fantastic young person for a year, giving them the opportunity to learn and grow into the role while bringing new energy and passion to tackle your most urgent priorities.
Explore some of what we offer to host organisations:
“For us it shows just what someone can do when given the opportunity. There just aren’t enough opportunities [for people] to prove themselves, the right person with the right support can do wonderful things.”
– Host Organisation
Creating opportunities through our programme is a fantastic way to support the younger generation and help meet your organisation’s needs.
Here’s some of what you’ll get out of being a host organisation:
Demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion
Help to shape the future of the environmental sector
Build capacity in your team
Access expert training and development support
Join a peer network of
like-minded organisations
What it’s like for organisations
British Trust for Ornithology
In 2023 BTO had one of our trainees join their organisation as a Youth Engagement Officer.
Faye Vogely, Youth Engagement Manager: “We really benefit from having someone younger on the team. That's really allowed us to be more inclusive in the work that we do because she brings the age category we work with into the staff team.“
“I’m very pleased to say that our Trainee has been offered a permanent position with adjusted pay to recognise her contribution to the organisation and team.
“I'm hoping that this will show the rest of the organisation the growth potential in an individual as well. When she came, she'd never worked with young people before and hadn't had a full-time job before in this sector. She's expanded her knowledge, and her skills are to the point where four months into her contract they already said let's make it permanent.”
What we’re
looking for
We’re keen to support both not-for-profit and profit making organisations with a strong environmental mission, who are actively working to create a healthy and sustainable planet for generations to come, with a particular focus on one of the following areas:
Nature recovery and urban greening
Bringing more green spaces and wildlife back into our lives.
These can be organisations protecting and creating ecosystems, managing nature reserves, creating urban green spaces such as community gardens, or encouraging people to connect with nature.
Low-carbon energy transition
Moving away from fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas and switching to cleaner, greener energy sources such as wind, solar and hydropower.
For example, organisations installing, generating or supplying renewable energy.
Circular economy
Rethinking how we produce and use goods to create a more sustainable future.
Organisations focusing on reducing our material consumption, such as pollution prevention, reuse and repair, renting and leasing of products, and recycling of materials and resources.
Sustainable built environment
Creating buildings and spaces that are
eco-friendly and energy-efficient.
These could be organisations focused on retrofitting buildings, green architecture and water saving systems.
Green transport systems
Finding cleaner, greener ways to move people and goods around.
This includes public transport, improving cycling and walking infrastructure, and installing EV charging stations
Food and farming
Growing and producing food in ways that work in harmony with the environment.
For example, organisations running market gardens, small holdings and farms, as well as green agri-tech businesses and food hubs.
Climate resilience
Preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change in our communities.
This could be raising public awareness and readiness, improving flood defences and designing smarter, nature based solutions.
Organisations looking to
take part need to:
Be able to offer full-time (35 hours/week), 12-month roles paid at the Real Living Wage
Create accessible, exciting roles that showcase how rewarding a career in the environmental sector can be
Commit to attracting and welcoming diverse young talent into their teams
Encourage young people to influence change in their organisation and the sector
Take part in a programme of development, learning, and evaluation to foster a more inclusive sector
We particularly welcome interest from diverse-led environmental organisations and smaller specialist charities looking to build their capacity.
How you
can sign up
Bristol and the West
of England programme
Our next programme will be regionally focused in Bristol and the surrounding areas. We’re planning to create at least 40 entry-level opportunities for young people to start their careers in the sector and we need partners to do it.
We’re now accepting expressions of interest from a diverse range of environmental organisations based in and around Bristol and the South West, who are interested in providing high quality 12-month work placements for 18-25 year olds.
New to Nature 2
Following on from the success of our pilot programme, New to Nature, a second version is being developed by Groundwork UK. This will be a UK-wide programme providing entry-level, paid nature-focused opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
For more information and to express your interest in hosting a trainee, please send us a message or email directly to contact@youthenvironmentalservice.co.uk
