When it comes to growing a great career, opportunities in the land-based and environmental sector are ripe for the taking.

BY Sam Pegg

The land-based and environmental sector offers a refreshing and extensive range of job opportunities at all levels, from forestry (trees and timber) to floristry, agriculture to animal husbandry and environmental to equine care. You can read about all things agricultural and land-based on our dedicated page.

Lantra provides invaluable information and resources about each of the land-based and environmental industries and the practical and rewarding opportunities they offer. From managerial opportunities to technical careers to volunteering and apprenticeships, the sector has an inspiring range of exciting and engaging opportunities.

In simple terms, land-based and environmental industries focus on environmental and animal-care related careers.

Lantra offers a range of apprenticeships in a wide variety of industries, including agriculture, horticulture, equine and animal care. Apprenticeships offer the apprentice the opportunity to develop their skills and gain practical work experience whilst achieving a qualification and earning money. Apprenticeships typically come in two levels and can take between one and four years to complete.

Lantra also has a useful range of career factsheets highlighting top tips for working in the sector, as well as key topics such as working life, skills, qualities and how to train for a variety of professions.

Follow @LantraCareers on Twitter to keep up-to-date with all you need to know about opportunities in this sector.
http://www.lantra.co.uk

Case Study: Angela obtained her first pony at the age of nine, so built up plenty of experience during her early years.

By Kat Page, LANTRA

Angela, who has been a groom for 12 years, has a variety of duties and responsibilities. She explains: “My key responsibilities are providing a high standard of care to the horses in my yard, ensuring the pharmacy is well stocked, clean, tidy and hygienic, making sure the medicines are made up properly and training new grooms.”

For Angela, one of the highlights of her role is nursing poorly horses back to good health: “I believe that I am able to make a difference to the lives of horses and it is very satisfying to share the knowledge I’ve learnt with both staff members and visitors.” It can be heartbreaking at times though. One particularly challenging aspect of her job can be losing a horse that doesn’t make it.

An aspect of the job that she really likes is attending and helping with events such as Olympia and the Blenheim Horse Trials: “I enjoy seeing the horses look so good and am proud of the work I have put in.”

Over the course of her career, Angela has learnt a great deal about looking after geriatric horses and has gained more experience in treating a much bigger range of medical conditions. In the future she aims to build on her experience, take on more responsibility and move into a more senior role.

For people considering a career in the industry, Angela’s advice is clear: “Be 100 per cent dedicated and willing to work overtime as horses are not a nine to five job. Anyone considering a career in horses has to be willing to learn, take instructions and be open minded to different ways of doing things.”