FREE Green Ranger course
A fully funded 10-week course to learn a range of green skills at the Cheapside Green Community Hub in Worksop.
This course has now started, another cohort will run from February – April (dates yet to be finalised). If you would like to go on the waiting list and be notified once bookings open, please email: gwfcenvironment@groundwork.org.uk
A free course for adults who are unemployed or on a low income and interested in finding a job in the green sector. Taking part is a great way to learn new skills from local environment experts and gain work experience.
Our groups are small and welcoming with a maximum of 10 people, so you will get personalised support. You will learn a range of green skills and themes (as laid out below) to give you a thorough understanding and hands-on experience of habitat management.
See bottom of the page for frequently asked questions.
Light refreshments will be made available, please bring your own lunch or purchase from nearby shops.
Address: Entrance to Allotments via metal gate next to 109 Cheapside, Worksop, S80 2JD
Facilities: There is a toilet and running water on-site, free on-street parking, and shops nearby.
Course outline:
| Session | Theme | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction & Site Familiarisation | Health & Safety, project induction, site tour, biodiversity overview, baseline wildlife recording |
| 2 | Species Identification | Bird identification, signs of wildlife, nature surveys and recording techniques |
| 3 | Habitat Creation | Bug hotels, log piles, dead hedging, pollinator habitats and ecosystem health |
| 4 | Community Engagement Task | Litter pick, access improvements, path maintenance, public engagement activity |
| 5 | Allotment & Growing Skills | Bed preparation, planting, composting, vegetable growing and seasonal tasks |
| 6 | Power Tools Training 1 | Brushcutter and strimmer training, practical habitat management tasks |
| 7 | Wildlife Recording & Monitoring | Species surveys, bird counts, habitat condition assessments, monitoring techniques |
| 8 | Power Tools Training 2 | Hedgecutter training, practical woodland and green space maintenance |
| 9 | Bird & Bat Conservation | Bird box and bat box construction, installation and maintenance |
| 10 | Practical Conservation Project | Group project combining skills learned; habitat improvements, community garden work and celebration/review session |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Green Ranger and what will I learn in this training?
Rangers are responsible for the care and maintenance of green spaces, and often work in areas such as nature reserves, country parks, coastal areas, etc. Rangers protect plants and animals on-site and maintain/create habitats for local wildlife. Often this also includes monitoring and surveying species. As you can see from the course overview above, this will give you experience in all of the aspects of a Ranger’s job.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, this is a free course, fully funded by npower Business Solutions Foundation.
Who is this for?
The courses are meant for adults (18+) who are unemployed, working part-time, or are on a low income, living in or around Worksop. You can learn new skills in small groups with personalised support, to upskill and improve your employability.
Is this course accredited?
It is not, however you will receive a certificate at the end to evidence your participation and we can provide a reference for job applications. By taking part, you will learn a wide range of green skills that can be extremely advantageous when applying for jobs in the green sector.
I have a disability, can I take part?
We aim to make this course as accessible as possible, please let us know in the form above of your accessibility needs and we will assess the best way forward.
I’ve signed up, what happens next?
Thank you for your interest! We’ll be in touch soon with more information, so make sure to check your emails regularly, including your Junk folder.
Do I need to bring anything?
Please bring a drink, your own lunch or some money to buy on-site (there are multiple shops in the area), we will provide light refreshments such as a tea, coffee, and biscuits. We will provide all tools and PPE such as gloves, but if you have your own and would like to bring these, you can. We recommend you wear warm, comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty and waterproofs. If you have footwear such as steel-cap boots, we recommend you wear these, or if not, closed-toe shoes are a must – boots or shoes with good grip are recommended.
I can’t make it every week, can I still take part?
It’s important you are able to come every week to get the full benefit and learn as much as you can, so if already you know you can’t make it every week, it’s best not to book. Of course, you may get ill or there may be other reasons why you can’t come, which you can’t predict. Once you’ve chosen a preferred day of the week (Tuesday or Thursday) you will not be able to switch.
I have a different question that’s not listed?
Get in touch with us via gwfcenvironment@groundwork.org.uk or call Rish, our Environment Delivery Manager, on 07771 538025
