Meet the South Downs National Park apprentice…
February 11, 2025
For National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with Kirsten Fewings, a Business Administration Apprentice for the National Park Authority.
Can you tell us more about your apprentice role at the National Park?
I am a business administrator apprentice, in the support services team. I work two days on reception which involves answering telephone and email enquiries about a whole array of things from planning to general questions about the National Park. I also greet and chat to the visitors that come to the South Downs centre. Whilst on I reception I also handle post coming in and out of the building ensuring it reaches the correct person.
I also work with the Comms Team. At the moment I am supporting them with their Dark Skies Festival by creating equipment lists, answering enquiries about the various Dark skies events and helping to collate attendance figures.
I am also in the process of taking over the notetaking responsibilities of our Health and Safety committee. This involves booking the meetings, collecting the information for the agenda and sending out the minutes after the meeting has taken place.
Why did you choose the South Downs National Park?
I wanted to do my apprenticeship with the National Park because the South Downs have been a special part of my life. I grew up just down the road from the South Downs Centre and spent many hours as a child exploring the Downs with my family. As an adult, I still very much love to explore the Downs with my husband and dog.
Back in the summer I decided to do some volunteering with SDNPA with the central rangers and loved every second of it. It felt amazing to know that I am now contributing to the conservation of the Downs I grew up in.
What do you think are the benefits of apprenticeships?
You get to learn new skills, on the job and earn money whilst you are doing so. You instantly open yourself up to a huge range of opportunities when you start an apprenticeship, and you have a large support network around you. The South Downs National Park is an organisation full of people willing to help you learn and achieve your best.
What’s been the highlight of your time in the National Park as an apprentice?
My highlight so far as an apprentice has been the warmth I received from not only my team but the organisation. From the day that I started my role I have felt welcome and as though I belong. I’m always being asked how I’m getting on, what I’m working on with college and even being offered support on my assignments.
What are your future aspirations?
My future aspirations are to not only develop as a business administrator but also as a person. I want to achieve my best and learn new skills that will help me on my new career journey.