01 Sep Six Months in Review With the LotE Apprentices

Our three 2026 Apprentices have written a few words about their experiences on the apprenticeship programme that we are delighted to share!

If you are looking to get involved with Life on The Edge or apply for our advertised roles, these blogs are a great insight into some of the work and opportunities we can offer!

Toby

It has been roughly six months since I commenced my countryside worker apprenticeship with the Life on the Edge (LotE) project, working on a day-to-day basis along the South Devon coast. From connecting and collaborating with the local folk to developing my knowledge and understanding around the countryside, the apprenticeship has already proven the extreme breadth and depth of understanding required for wildlife conservation and countryside management.

Before the apprenticeship, I was largely ignorant of the invertebrates, having little experience around entomology (just a fancy word for bugology). However, buttressed by LotE’s undying focus on inverts, I am now captivated by critters and feverish to pursue survey work and develop my bug education. The structure of the project, its weekly surveys and focus species, has spearheaded this newfound passion and fuelled my learning over these past six months. Moreover, all this learning is a slippery slope; knowing your insects involves floristic knowledge. And, LotE have provided ample support and development in this respect also, like hosting floristic survey training.

I relish the practical aspect of the role, putting all my energies towards improving nature and access to it. I have progressed and can see a marked difference in my performance. You’d be surprised how efficient you can become at digging holes!

Ultimately, the teams I have been a part of have been the highlight of my debut, meeting and working with a wide range of characters that have given me a range of advice and comradeship.

Nevertheless, I am looking forward to continuing my personal journey through intense invertebrate surveys and insistent tea and biscuit breaks with volunteers.

Lily

Time truly has flown in my first 6 months into the apprenticeship. Having lived in South Devon for a considerable amount of time, I still pinch myself at the beautiful places we get to discover, explore and work in as a part of this role and I feel more connected to the landscapes I have called home. From working alongside National Trust rangers looking out over dramatic coastal cliffs to surveys in colourful wildflower meadows and ancient woodlands, the South West really does have it all!

I have enjoyed the variety of skills we have already started to learn since the apprenticeship began, particularly heritage skills like hedge laying, dry stone walling and green wood traditional gate making. Being involved in tree planting projects and community engagement initiatives has also been a highlight for me as it has demonstrated the successes of a holistic approach to conservation work, blending the practical aspects of landscape management and inspiring community outreach.

Life on the Edge have also ensured we expand on our species ID knowledge having us take part in flora and fauna surveys weekly (a highlight so far has definitely being able to hold one of our target species, the long horned bee, at East Prawle during a survey of their habitat, making the vital importance of this work very real!). It has been rewarding knowing you are connecting with the species and landscapes around you, and even better knowing that the conservation work we are doing alongside hard working colleagues and volunteers has such a positive impact.

The apprenticeship has also been a fantastic opportunity to engage with a variety of organisations and passionate individuals who are always willing to offer us opportunities to learn throughout the seasons. I’m sure the other apprentices agree that we have already seen ourselves grow within this role and I am excited to see where the next 6 months take us all!

Rose

Now six months into my apprenticeship I am amazed at how much I have learnt in such a (relatively) short space of time. Every day I get the opportunity to learn and practice new skills, working in a hands-on manner. The breadth of knowledge and expertise from those around me is proving to be invaluable, there is always someone to learn from!

Time spent with both the Life on the Edge and Slapton Field Studies Council National Nature Reserve Team has given me such a fascinating insight into practical conservation and land management. During my time so far, I have surveyed invertebrates and flora, managed reedbed, vegetated shingle and wet/dry woodland habits, worked with local communities and obtained my brush cutter and first aid qualification, all the while working with an amazing variety of volunteers and conservationists.

Coming from A-levels into this role, whilst my peers continued their education at university, seemed like a leap of faith, however now a third of the way into this journey I have no regrets about my choice. It is clear to me that the next 12 months of this apprenticeship will truly build a strong foundation from which I can continue to progress my career as a conservationist and ranger.