A FORESTRY apprenticeship is among those to have been given the royal seal of approval to mark King Charles III's Coronation - quite literally.
The official Coronation emblem will now be used by employers and government to promote the forest craftsperson scheme, with the list also including the countryside worker programme.
A total of six apprenticeships – whittled down from 200 – have been selected for their contribution to the drive to net zero, which ministers say reflects His Majesty’s longstanding commitment to ensuring natural assets endure for future generations.
READ MORE: King Charles: Large-scale woodland will be planted in England
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “As we work towards our net zero goals, it has never been more important to prioritise green skills and protect our natural environment.
"In recognition of the critical role education and skills play in responding to climate change, these green apprenticeships have been selected in honour of His Majesty The King’s Coronation.
“These gold-standard, sustainable apprenticeships offer people the chance to embark on exciting new careers in industries from forestry to construction, and contribute to creating a more sustainable economy.”
The six apprenticeships are:
• Countryside worker (level 2)
• Forest craftsperson (level 3)
• Low carbon heating technician (level 3)
• Installation electrician and maintenance electrician (level 3)
• Sustainability business specialist (level 7)
• Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner (level 4)
Ellie Corbett completed the Countryside Worker Level 2 apprenticeship and is now on the Countryside Ranger Level 4 while also working as an Area Ranger for North York Moors National Park.
The 27-year-old said: "From a young age I have always been passionate about the environment and what we need to be doing to conserve it. After working through school and college in hospitality roles, I decided to travel to see more of the world and worked in various rural jobs over the course of three years.
"Through seeing different environments and learning from people who had such a passion for the planet, this inspired me to take this path for myself.
"After coming back home I began an environmental undergraduate degree with the Open University and shortly after got a place on the Countryside Worker Apprenticeship.
"The apprenticeship has given me the practical skills, the knowledge behind the job and the ability to work in beautiful places, giving something back to the communities and the environment. I have had the opportunity to learn from people with so much experience in this field that they can pass on."
READ MORE: King Charles' Coronation: Monarch's life in trees through the decades
The six sustainable apprenticeships were designed by employers working with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), who considered the impact of each occupation on the environment and future workforce
Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said: “As we transition to net zero, green apprenticeships have never been more essential to equipping people from all backgrounds with the skills that our economy needs to grow.
His Majesty King Charles III's Coronation takes place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.
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