Anthony Creegan – NVQ Level 2 in Environmental Conservation

I decided to start a course at East Durham College to further my education and widen my career options in the environmental sector.

I chose East Durham College because of the wide variety of courses it offered in my area of interest.

I have really enjoyed being at the College. I found all the content on the course very interesting and challenging and the people were great too! I gained some good contacts and the skills I needed to progress.

 Andrew Elmes – NVQ Level 2 in Environmental Conservation

I’m now in my late thirties, so decided it was now or never to retrain in a career I was very interested in.

I chose a course at East Durham College because of its excellent reputation. The college also has flexible attending times so I found it easy to fit it around my work timetable.

Completing my NVQ Level 2 gave me the confidence to return to East Durham College to do a National Certificate in Arboculture.

My plans are to further my education, hopefully gaining a HNC. I will then look for employment as a Countryside Warden or an Arboculture Officer.

Marina Kynoch - RHS Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture & NVQ Environmental Conservation

“I wanted a career change, and choose the College and these courses in an aim to turn a lifelong love of the outdoors into paid employment. As well as offering the best choice of courses to suit my needs, the College would allow me to gain qualifications and learn practical skills in the outdoor environment, not in a classroom!

The college is very accessible, easy parking, a lovely open aspect with everything at hand and the NVQ course is a great balance of practical and written work.

I plan to work with schools/community groups in the outdoor environment and help set up allotments and ‘growing spaces’.”


Vicky Chu - NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation Group

“I joined this course to gain awareness and knowledge of environmental issues and to learn the practical skills in order to help the local voluntary conservation tasks.

For a non native person, it is important – and the best way - to know the society, the structure of local authorities, local history, countryside and nature life in depth, and to establish good team working and relationships with fellow students and tutor. 

The course was recommended by a member of voluntary work in my area. The college is well-known and well-established in the area. I enjoy performing useful tasks in the countryside and working as a team with like-minded people.

I look forward to gaining a variety of skills and experiences in order to help and carry out works for local conservation voluntary works which will help me continue with local voluntary work in the future.”


Fran Mudd – NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation  

“The course was part time so could be fit in around other commitments, as well as being close to home and having had many recommendations of the course.  

During my NVQ I was offered seasonal work in the conservation sector. Houghall’s flexibility allowed me to accept this job whilst continuing with my course. Upon finishing my NVQ I was offered a full time position with the same employer and am now a countryside ranger for a local authority.

Practical skills are a pre-requisite for my chosen career, and the NVQ course provided me with the knowledge and ability to carry out a wide range of practical projects. The course has also given me a more specific qualification that can be presented to potential employers.

I thoroughly enjoy my job and intend to carry on this line of work. I continue to attend short courses at Houghall, as and when I am given the opportunity, and these have proven to be just as beneficial.

For students aspiring to enter a similar career I’d advise getting as much practical experience as possible, whether this is through an NVQ, by volunteering for a local charity or by joining a local group.”

John Swallow – NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation

“East Durham College was the nearest College to me running this type of course. My time at Houghall allowed me the opportunity to develop existing skills and learn new ones, whilst also increasing my knowledge and contact base.

Since completing the course I have continued with voluntary work, applied for posts in the sector and have taken on further training. I have taken up a regular weekend post and am continuing to look for full time posts.

My tip for anyone looking to get into this sector is to volunteer for a wide variety of organisations, to take up any training offered and to be patient.”


Dave Thew – NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation

“After completing a MSc in Environmental Conservation at Sunderland I decided to reinforce the academic learning with the practical skills offered by the Houghall NVQ course. I choose the course for several reasons including the course content, convenient timetable and good library resources.

Since finishing the course I have continued as a conservation volunteer with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust applying the skills I have gained. I have also joined the National Trust volunteers at Ormesby Hall, again carrying out conservation tasks in the gardens and woodlands, and have joined Durham Bat Group as a trainee bat worker. During the summer I carried out seal colony monitoring for INCA and have entered a hedge-laying competition.

The education and skills I have gained at the College have allowed me to be better organised to plan and execute conservation tasks, and as a result I have achieved more consistent outcomes. My report writing has improved and I have found the contact network I have gained during the course invaluable.

I plan to continue in my volunteering work and in widening the range of skills I have achieved.

For anyone thinking about conservation, I would advise you just take that first step. Find out what courses are available. Talk with the college staff. Choose the right course for you. Join in. your confidence will grow.”


Tony Purcell – NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation

“I came to the College in 2007 to received further education, progress my career and increase my experience and knowledge in the volunteering sector.

Houghall College Campus was ideal for me. Where the College is situated, on the outskirts of Durham City Centre, was really convenient for me and the course really met my needs.

Since finishing the course I have been able to apply all of the information into different aspects of my work and volunteering. I have used the knowledge and experience I’ve gained through the course both during my routine daily work and also during weekend volunteering events. I fully intend to attend other courses and keep up to date with new ideas and technology.

Any course is hard work, whether physical or mental, but the results have certainly been worthwhile. For any student looking to do a similar course my advice would be to never be frightened to ask any questions.”


Anne Quigley - NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation

“I joined NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation to increase my skills and experience as a volunteer and maybe also help me to find a new job.

The course was great for learning new skills such as dry stone walling and hedge-laying. I found it very wide ranging and enjoyable . We visited lots of places I had never been to and met people on the course from different organisations such as the  Wildlife Trust, Tees Valley Conservation and Durham Heritage Coast to name a few.

Since finishing the course in May 2008 I have continued to volunteer but with more confidence and may yet change my job. With this qualification I can apply for jobs I couldn’t before. I will continue to enjoy volunteering and look around for jobs.

For students who are looking to get into a similar career I’d advise them to really go for it. Take this course, join a volunteer group too and you are bound to get fit and make new friends. There are lots of local volunteering opportunities in the countryside.”


Mickiley – National Certificate in Environmental Conservation, Level 2

“I have always had an interest in Conservation.  After leaving the Army I decided that it was a career I would like to go into.  I heard about the course through my volunteer work with the Coast & Countryside Rangers and, having heard many good reports about the College, decided to apply.

I hope the course will help me to gain good background knowledge of conservation issues including habitat management, wildlife care and ecology as well as an extensive amount of practical experience.

After this course I hope to gain employment within the sector and I am also looking at studying a degree in Countryside Management.  My main career aim is to be a Project Manager within the sector.

I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the course that I am on and the varied work we do day to day; I also like the fact that there is always support there should you need it.  The other people on the course are a really good group so we tend to have a laugh as we work.”


James Taylor - Reg Vardy Work Based Learning Award winner 2008

James completed his Apprenticeship in Horticulture Sports Turf, well before his intended leaving date, before progressing onto an Advanced Apprenticeship. The quality of the work James submits clearly reflects his interest in his chosen vocational area and a passion for greenkeeping in particular. His dedication and talents have been recognised not only by the college, but also by his employer at Dinsdale Spa Golf Club who has given James excellent reports.


Gary McCourt - Easington District Council Training Award winner 2008

Gary obtained an Apprenticeship in Horticulture at Peterlee Town Council where he achieved his Level 3 Apprenticeship three months before his intended leaving date as well as completing an additional three units in sports turf. During his training, a member of the team had an accident and was unable to continue in his job role. Gary stepped into the position maintaining sports turf areas such as Peterlee New Town Football Club's pitch. Gary excelled in this role and due to this it encouraged him to do the additional sports turf units. Due to the hard work of the team at Peterlee Town Council, they won a National Award from the Institute of Groundsmen in 2007 for the pitch at Peterlee Town Football Club. Gary is committed, hard working with high standards and self motivtaed to work as an individual or as part of a team.


Iain Harris - New Row Farm Nursery Award for Horticulture winner 2008

Iain joined the Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture programme as he felt it ws time for a change in career. With help and encouragement from college staff, as well as his supportive family, Iain has set up his own business in horticulture. His impressive ability to juggle study and work is testiment to his natural talent for horticulture.


Douglas Nisbet - Arboriculture Award winner 2008

Douglas received the Arboriculture Award as recognition of his high levels of academic achievement both inside and outside the classroom. His mature and diligent approach to his studies, as well as a desire to help his fellow peers, has earned him the respect of college staff and students alike.


Mark Mitchell 

Mark won the Arboriculture Student of the Year Award in 2007. Mark is a mature student who gave up his job, family, friends and fiancé in London to study here at the college.  He has endured all kinds of personal setbacks but has consistently achieved distinctions in all modules whilst assisting other students both practically and academically.