© Eleanor Church
Work Experience and Work Placements
Thinking about working in conservation?
Get a taste of the world of work, whilst making a real difference to your local environment.
Roles in conservation are really varied and could include ecologists, reserves management, community engagement, communications and marketing, data management, fundraising and many more.
Our work experience week and work placements opportunities are a great way to learn new skills, meet like-minded people and decide whether a job in the conservation sector is for you.
Work experience
We offer one work experience week a year for students in year 10.
The programme aims to give students the opportunity to gain a variety of skills and experience across different areas of the Trust’s work and get a taste of multiple career options within the conservation sector. Work experience students will join Cornwall Wildlife Trust teams for an inspiring and enjoyable week, accompanying and assisting them with tasks including practical conservation, community engagement and wildlife surveying.
Dates
Our work experience week in 2026 will run on the following dates:
13th - 17th July 2026
Programme
The programme will vary each year, but the kinds of activity it might include are:
- A marine-focused day
- Surveying habitats or species with the ERCCIS team (Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly)
- Practical conservation tasks
- Visiting our reserves with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust team.
Days will usually run from 9am – 3.30pm, though there may be some earlier starts / later finishes subject to the programme.
Logistics
Support: You will be accompanied throughout the week by Cornwall Wildlife Trust staff members who will provide safety briefings, instructions and guidance.
Transport:
For each day of your placement, please arrive at our premises by 9.00am. We are located at Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9DJ and are easily accessible by car or public transport.
We will then arrange transport to any activities. Please note, sites will be varied and spread throughout Cornwall.
Facilities: Please note, most of our reserves don’t have access to toilet facilities on site.
What to bring and wear: You should wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty as well as suitable shoes (e.g., walking boots or wellies). You will need to bring along your own lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Please also ensure you are ready for any weather (waterproofs, suncream etc)
How to apply
Applications for our 2026 work experience week will be open from 8th September until 9th November. There will be six places available.
You can apply to join us by completing this form, telling us a bit more about yourself and why you would like to do your work experience with Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Please download and complete the form, and then email to us at recruitment@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk.
We will let you know the outcome of your application by 8th December.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at recruitment@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Work placements
We welcome applications from undergraduate students to undertake their work placements with us.
We are in the process of updating our application process. Once available, our work placements opportunities will be listed below.
