YDMT apprentices get boost from local business

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) has partnered with Full Circle Funerals to give a boost to its apprenticeship programme.

Staff across the four branches of the Yorkshire-based funeral directors voted to support YDMT’s Environmental Apprenticeship scheme in celebration of the business’s fifth birthday. 

 The project gives young people from across the Yorkshire Dales the opportunity to access countryside careers alongside academic learning.

Successful apprentices not only enjoy certified training courses and hands-on work-based experience with a range of organisations but also develop personally – giving them the best chance of securing future employment.  Sarah Jones, Director at Full Circle Funerals, said “The charity’s commitment to protecting and enhancing the wild and natural spaces on our doorstep makes them an excellent partner for us. We understand the positive impact nature can have on wellbeing, particularly in respect of our own team  and the people we help who are experiencing grief.

“We are delighted to support the apprenticeship programme which creates exciting opportunities for young people to work in nature and learn first-hand about the stewardship of our incredible local landscape and wildlife.” 

Full Circle Funerals have donated £5,000 to the scheme. 

Jo Boulter, YDMT’s Apprenticeship Project Officer, added: “We are really grateful for Full Circle Funerals’ support and especially the wonderful team there that voted to help young people access countryside careers. 

“Our scheme ensures that young people not only are embedded with local employers but also study part-time towards a Level 2 Countryside Worker apprenticeship at Craven College. They also have the opportunity to gain certificated skills appropriate to their job such as chainsaw and brushcutter use, ATV driving, habitat surveying, species identification or trailer training, to name just a few. 

“Around 85 per cent of participants go on to further education or employment and support from Full Circle Funerals means we can ensure more young people can live and work in the Yorkshire Dales.”