Work Experience
September 2024 Update
We are so looking forward to welcoming more work experience and placement students in 2025. Please note that our application system is currently close and will reopen in December 2024. Please keep an eye on this website around this time for more details on how to apply.
One-week placements for students in Year 10-13
Work experience placements are an important part of career progression. The South Downs National Park Authority is keen to provide opportunities for students to find out more about our work and also contribute their ideas to our projects.
National Parks are great environments to work in with:
- Beautiful settings in a protected landscape
- Staff who want to make a difference and have a passion for their work and the National Park
- Proximity to the great outdoors that can be enjoyed through both work and play
- Good benefits such as flexible working options to maintain a work-life balance, annual leave and pension scheme.
You could spend your work experience week with our Ranger teams in Seven Sisters Country Park, Stanmer, Slindon or Droxford. Alternatively, you might wish to spend your time at Midhurst, the home of the South Downs National Park Authority.
To find out more information about our placements, download our Work Experience Information Pack.
Work placements for agricultural college students
Work placements provide students with an opportunity to develop their practical and technical skills. Students typically spend one day a week during term-time with a dedicated ranger team, joining rangers and volunteers on a variety of practical conservation tasks throughout the year.
If you are interested in becoming a work placement volunteer with us*, please email volunteering@southdowns.gov.uk with an expression of interest and your work experience dates clearly marked.
*We currently offer industry placements to students at Brinsbury, Plumpton College and Sparsholt College. If you are studying at a different college then please ask your industry placement coordinator to contact us via learning@southdowns.gov.uk.