Dudley Council Countryside Service has teamed up once again with The King’s Trust to deliver training for 18 to 30 year olds in practical conservation.

This programme is free of charge to young people aged 18-30 not currently in full time work, training or education, living in the West Midlands.

In the two-week programme young people learn about the different aspects of habitat management and conservation in the UK. 

Other key areas featured in the course will be geo-conservation, environmental survey skills, hedge laying and restoration of wetland habitats.

The course content is produced and delivered by Dudley Council’s Countryside Service and provides young people with a solid base of skills to help them pursue their chosen career in conservation. 

Alongside this they have the opportunity to develop key skills in interview techniques, applying for jobs and traineeships and an Emergency First Aid Qualification. 

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: “This is the fifth time we’ve worked with the King’s Trust, or Prince’s Trust as was, to deliver this programme and Saltwells is the perfect location for these young people to learn valuable new practical skills. 

“The programme gives them the skills, confidence, experience and qualifications they need to start off this in this field of work. It was great to meet some of these young people earlier in the week and see just how much this sort of practical work experience means to them.” 

This programme is a King’s Trust youth employment initiative, part-funded through the European Social Fund.