NATIONAL TRUST PRESS RELEASE
Date: Friday 17 January, 2014
Come and learn the skills of ‘Managing historic gardening’ or ‘Managing historic parklands and landscapes’.
Do you have a passion for heritage and the outdoors?
Have you ever wanted to learn the skills for managing some of the country’s historic gardens or parklands and landscapes?
Then the National Trust’s ‘Passport to your Future’ scheme could be for you.
‘Passport to your Future’ is a pioneering scheme to introduce greater diversity to the workforce and help to break down some of the barriers traditionally faced by some people when looking for a job in the heritage sector.
Applications are open to anyone but may be of specific interest to anyone with a disability, a lack of formal qualifications, who has been long-term unemployed or is from an under-represented ethnic minority group.
Recruitment has begun for applicants in the areas of ‘Managing Historic Gardens’ or ‘Managing Historic Parklands and Landscapes’.
‘Managing Historic Gardens’ trainees will work alongside the Trust’s gardeners to learn the horticultural skills and know-how you need to start a career path looking after magnificent gardens with a rich history.
‘Managing Historic Parklands and Landscapes’ trainees will become part of the National Trust team of Wardens and Rangers and you will learn how to manage our trees, habitats, wildlife and animals in our inspiring parklands.
Current and former Passport trainees have commented:
“There is a tremendous amount to learn, every day brings new challenges and a wealth of new insights. My mentors are wonderful teachers taking great care and patience to teach me the skills I need.” Jason
“…this project has given me the boost in life I needed again and has given me something to work towards.” Helen
“Throughout the last 12 months I have been on the steepest learning curve of my life, so much information has been sent my way that I didn’t think I would ever retain any of it. Surprisingly I have and I feel remarkably well prepared for a new career direction with an abundance of marketable skills.” John
Trainees for the next intake will be based at one of the following Trust gardens or parks:
- Stowe - Buckinghamshire
- Charlecote - Warwickshire
- Nostell Priory - Yorkshire
- Clumber Park - Nottinghamshire
- Sheffield Park and Garden - East Sussex
- Seaton Delaval - Northumberland
- Gibside - Tyne & Wear
Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) the ‘Passport’ scheme offers one-year paid training. Trainees who complete the scheme will gain a Skills Passport to help get them started on a career path in the outdoor heritage industry.
For further details of the scheme and dates for our ‘taster’ days in February visit
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Notes to editors:
For more information contact Claire Poulton, Project Manager, Passport to your Future, on
About the National Trust
The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 740 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas for great value family days out go to:
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 36,000 projects with £5.9bn across the UK.