Working in the land based and environmental sector involves looking after the countryside, forests, gardens and parks, and working with different types of plants and animals.

The main areas are:

There are jobs at all levels, from professional through to skilled and semi-skilled jobs. Applicants need a real interest and enthusiasm for the environment and the right personal skills and qualities. Some of the jobs are seasonal and involve a great deal of outdoor work, in all temperatures and weather conditions.

(Source: Lantra/jobs4u/learndirect)

This area looks at just four different job areas in the Animals, land and the natural environment sector, with three possible career routes for each:

You can get your qualifications by taking vocational courses or studying while in employment as well as by the more traditional full time education route. The important thing is to choose a route that suits you.

Remember these are career pathways, and you can get on or off the pathway at any point!

Mature students without formal qualifications are advised to talk to their local nextstep provider www.nextstep.org.uk One year Access to Higher Education courses give adults without formal qualifications the chance to study at degree level. Contact individual colleges and universities to discuss their entry requirements.

There’s a lot you can do to help your land based career: