Trainees' Stories

Meadow quatrats

Meadow quatrats

Trainees' Stories

Trainees building their future in conservation

Find out more about our trainees' experiences throughout the year

The traineeship played a vital role in helping me to develop essential skills required for my future within the conservation sector, and also allowed me to build on my interpersonal skills, working alongside an amazing and diverse team.
Aaron Lavery
Nature Reserve Trainee, Ulster Wildlife
Aaron Lavery

Aaron Lavery, Nature Reserve Trainee, Ulster Wildlife

“I found myself applying for an endless number of jobs within the Natural Heritage sector with every single one of them being a real chore, apart from the Ulster Wildlife traineeship programme. I applied for both the land and seas traineeships.

The application process was an extremely user-friendly experience that allowed me to portray who I really am and how the traineeship would help me, not only in securing further employment but also on a personal level. During the traineeship, I worked daily within a diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds, completing vital training courses and had the opportunity to undertake practical habitat management across some amazing sites. The traineeship played a vital role in helping me to develop essential skills required for my future within the conservation sector, and also allowed me to build on my interpersonal skills, working alongside an amazing and diverse team.

As a result of the traineeship, I have now gone on to secure full-time employment with the Parklife team at Ulster Wildlife, delivering education sessions across Belfast to schools and youth groups.  I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Ulster Wildlife for their help throughout the year.”

Throughout the year, I enjoyed getting out and actively protecting our seas through beach cleans and educating people about the issues facing marine life. The traineeship definitely helped me with securing employment in the sector.
Maeve Foley
Marine Trainee, Ulster Wildlife
Maeve Foley, Marine Trainee, Ulster Wildlife

Maeve Foley, Marine Trainee, Ulster Wildlife

 

 “I always had a passion for animals and growing up I was fascinated by the sea and the life within it. My interest in wildlife led me to study Zoology at Queen’s University, Belfast. Throughout the course, I found myself particularly interested in the marine side of things which we explored through various modules and practical work. I applied for the Living Seas Traineeship as I felt that it would be an amazing opportunity for me to enhance my knowledge and practical skills, essential for working in the marine conservation sector.

Throughout the year, I enjoyed getting out and actively protecting our seas through beach cleans and educating people about the issues facing our marine life.  The traineeship definitely helped me secure employment in the sector.  Upon completion, I have been working part-time within the Red Squirrels United team at Ulster Wildlife, and also at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre as a Conservation Education and Activities Assistant.  I continue to build my work experience and skills to pursue full-time employment with an aim to return to the marine sector in the future.”