Article Index
Careers in the environmental and land-based industries
Entry routes into agriculture
All Pages

Up for a challenge? Do you like the great outdoors? Want to be your own boss? Want to help save the planet? If the answer is YES, have you ever thought about a career in one of the UK's most diverse, exciting and rewarding sectors? Believe it or not, the environmental and land-based industries offer an unusual and unique world of work, with opportunities for real career progression and promotion. And they need people like YOU.

What do we mean by the environmental and land-based industries? Well, we mean areas as diverse as traditional agriculture and horticulture, through to fields like animal care and environmental conservation, to landscaping and even floristry! The full range of industries provide a vast range of opportunities, and can offer you the chance to develop both hands-on and technical skills in exciting, constantly changing and highly specialised areas. And as new technology within the sector advances, the opportunities continue to grow…

Is it for you?

So what sorts of people go into environmental and land-based jobs? To enjoy a career in this diverse sector, quite possibly you like the idea of working outdoors - maybe you really like the countryside, for example. Or perhaps you really like animals, and the idea of working with them or helping to conserve wildlife appeals to you. A lot of jobs in this area require some hands-on, practical work but, contrary to popular belief, many jobs also rely on in-depth knowledge, skills and a certain amount of flexibility too. And if working outside doesn't appeal, there are a wide range of jobs that involve being inside too - veterinary nursing, for example. Changes in the industry also mean that more and more employees are needed to carry out administrative and technical work indoors!

What's your motivation?

Now for the good news: job prospects are, perhaps surprisingly, very good. Despite popular misconceptions, the industry needs highly competent and enthusiastic new entrants - in fact, there is a shortage of good recruits in some areas. In some jobs, the hours can be long - but they can also extremely rewarding. Salary levels vary dramatically, but good recruits can command good packages. As vacancies in the sector are becoming harder to fill, salary levels will continue to rise in order to attract the right people. The only way is up!

A land-based qualification is also very transferable, both within Europe and in the rest of the world. For example, many projects in the developing world - perhaps to help people obtain clean water or grow food crops in a sustainable way - need people with just these skills and knowledge. And as the sector is so diverse, whatever your ability, experience or ambitions, the land-based and environmental industries are bound to have opportunities for you. The options are endless!