Four former apprentices are celebrating career success at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, having progressed into full‑time roles across the ranger, communications and IT teams.

After completing the same Countryside Worker apprenticeship, Alfie Baines and Benedict Parkin have both moved into Access Ranger roles, with Alfie based in Orton and Benedict in Hawes. These apprenticeships, delivered through Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust’s Rural Apprenticeship scheme, offer young people the opportunity to gain certificated skills, including chainsaw and brushcutter use, ATV driving, habitat surveying and species identification.

Tabitha McNicholas has successfully completed a National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Journalism Apprenticeship through Darlington College and now works in the Authority’s Communications Team, while Jim Ingham has secured a full‑time role as an IT Support Officer after completing his Business Administration Apprenticeship through Craven College.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority remains committed to offering further apprenticeship opportunities in the coming months, including a Multi‑Channel Marketer role and additional rural apprenticeships delivered with Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

Julie Hutton, Member Champion for Corporate Management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “We have a strong track record of developing young talent within the National Park, with former apprentices now well established across our ranger, land management and communications teams. It brings the total number of apprenticeships offered by this Authority over the last five years to more than 25.

“In an area where opportunities for young people can be limited, offering high‑quality apprenticeships is essential to helping local people begin their careers, grow in confidence and build long‑term futures within the rural economy.”