Estate workers help to maintain and manage the environment for the benefit of people and wildlife. This can involve the management of a variety of different habitats including woodland, grassland, wetland and heathland, and also the maintenance of facilities for public access and recreation.

Their work varies depending on the habitat, and examples include:

Woodlands

• Felling trees using hand or chainsaws
• Coppicing by cutting trees on a regular basis after allowing them to re-grow
• Planting new trees to create new or replacing old woodland
• Removing unwanted plants and shrubs
• Creating habitats for birds, mammals, butterflies and other insects.

Grassland

• Removing vegetation by cutting using various equipment ranging from a strimmer to a tractor
• Managing vegetation by grazing using sheep, cattle or even rabbits to improve biodiversity
• Removing vegetation by burning
• Managing water levels.

Wetland

• Managing water levels
• Cutting vegetation including reed beds
• Creating areas for birds and other wildlife.

Heathland

• Removing scrub by grazing using sheep or cattle
• Burning the vegetation to help the heather to re-grow
• Cutting and spraying bracken and other unwanted vegetation
• Other work can involve the management and maintenance of boundaries (including dry stone walling, hedge laying and fencing), providing access points (signposting, waymarking, gates, bollards and stiles) and the building and maintaining of site ‘furniture' and other structures (access paths, benches, bird/bat boxes etc).

Working Conditions

Estate workers normally work around 40 hours a week. Weekend work and late evenings may be required.

The work will vary depending on the seasons and the habitat being maintained. For example most woodland management takes place in the Autumn/Winter whilst grassland management is undertaken in Spring/Summer.

The work is outdoors, in all weathers. It is demanding and can involve bending, lifting and carrying as well as using a variety of hand tools and other equipment such as chainsaws, strimmers and tractors.

It is likely that the job will involve working at a number of different sites, so a full driving licence would be useful. Some jobs, such as dry stone walling, may involve travel, and staying away from home from time to time.

Next steps

With experience or relevant qualifications it is possible to progress to supervisory or other conservation positions, such as Countryside Officer, Senior Estate Worker or a Property/Estate Manager.

The career structure will vary depending on the size of the organisation so you may have to change employers to progress.

There are some opportunities to become self-employed. This might include specialising in specific areas, for example dry stone walling or woodland maintenance, or expanding to include other areas of work, such as landscape gardening.

Those in self-employment will need to build a good reputation and develop their skills to get more work.

Useful links

British Association for Shooting and Conservation

Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

Institute of Fisheries Management

My world of work

Scottish Gamekeepers Association

Scottish Land and Estates

Grooms will undertake all the practical horse care tasks of looking after horses on a daily basis to ensure that they remain healthy, happy and in good condition. 

They may also be responsible for exercising the horses each day.  This will include exercising from the ground, riding out on the road, inside and outside schooling on the flat and over fences. 

Grooms will have some degree of responsibility for dealing with people.  This may include interacting with customers and at racing and competition yards you would be expected to interact with the owners too. 

Some Grooms may also be expected to drive a horsebox, so a qualification would be useful. 

In studs and breeding yards, duties will also include:  

• Caring for and preparing mares for covering
• Attending to mares and foals during and after foaling
• Working with stallions
• Assisting with embryo transfer procedures
• Assisting with artificial insemination procedures
• Keep in close contact with owners
• Maintaining the stud records.

 In riding schools and trekking centres grooms you may also have to:

• Greet clients
• Lead riders out on foot
• Accompany riders on horseback. 

A Groom working in competition, hunting or racing yards, will prepare horses for events and may also accompany them.   

Working Conditions

Grooms work around 40 hours a week, but may work longer on occasions.  Part time and casual work may also be available.  Most of the work is outdoors, in all weather conditions.

There will be early mornings, late nights and weekend work.  Work can involve heavy lifting, carrying, bending, climbing and standing for long periods and stables can be dusty. 

Equestrian businesses are often a long way from town; sometimes in quite remote areas.  Therefore a driving licence may be useful.  Due to location and the nature of the job role, some grooms positions are ‘live-in’ and most involve travelling and staying away from home e.g. during competitions.

Next steps

With experience and relevant qualifications it is possible to progress to an Assistant Instructor Coach position. Career options depend on the size of the organisation, so you may have to move elsewhere.

Experienced Grooms may become:

Assistant Stud Manager or Yard Manager

• Yard or Stud Manager
• Riding Instructor.
• Trainer
• Jockey. 

Grooms wanting to become Riding Instructors can take BHS, ABRS or specific coaching qualifications.

There are also opportunities to work and train abroad.

Useful links

Association of British Riding Schools

British Grooms Association

British Horse Society in Scotland

British Horseracing Authority

My world of work

The British Racing School

The National Stud

Access and Recreation Officers are responsible for managing public access, often in a defined geographical area or along a defined route. Part of their work may include undertaking access surveys monitoring use, damage and obstructions on public rights of way, sites and the wider access network, negotiating improvements with landowners.

They may also carry out some remedial maintenance, or develop programmes of work for colleagues, volunteers or contractors. There may be times when strong negotiation skills are required to resolve conflict and meet the needs of both walkers and landowners.

Many Access and Recreation Officers also advise visitors about safe and responsible access to the countryside and lead guided walks and help to develop self-guided trails and related publications. Others focus specifically on the legal definition of public access, processing formal changes to the network, researching alignments and status of routes, and maintaining a Definitive Map.

Working Conditions

Access and Recreations Officers typically work a standard full-time week. However, the hours may vary, and weekend or Bank Holiday work can be required. There may be part-time, voluntary, self-employed and consultancy opportunities available. The ability to work without close supervision, and to manage conflicting priorities, is also often required.

Regardless of the season, work can be inside or outdoors in all weathers. Depending on the area covered, there may be a lot of travelling between different sites, so a driving licence is usually needed.

Officers are likely to be provided with protective clothing, tools and equipment required to undertake the job.

Next steps

The amount of people working in this area is expected to grow as there is an increasing awareness of promotion and awareness of access. Opportunities can be found in both urban and rural areas all over the UK. However, competition for paid work is intense with many employers requiring a degree for entry into this career along with relevant countryside and access management experience.

Jobs can be found with local authority countryside services or highways departments, National Park Authorities and in National Trail management. Charitable trusts, such as The Woodland Trust and The National Trust also have paid and voluntary positions. There are also jobs within some access organisations, private companies, land management organisations (e.g. National Farmers’ Union, Forestry Commission) and legal or consultancy firms.

With experience and relevant qualifications it is possible to progress to management or more senior positions. The career structure will vary depending on the size of the organisation. It may be necessary to seek opportunities with an alternative employer in order to progress. Self-employed contract work, both on a practical and consultancy basis may also available.

There is also the possibility of specialising in most areas of the work such as Definitive Map or Enforcement, depending on the organisation.

Useful links

Cairngorms National Park

Countryside Jobs Service

National Trust for Scotland

Historic Environment Scotland

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

My world of work

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Scottish Countryside Rangers' Association

Scottish Natural Heritage

Scottish Wildlife Trust

An Agricultural Machinery Operator is involved with a wide range of activities on a farm from tractor driving to the harvesting of crops, which could be either cereals or vegetables, as well as the operation of any other agricultural machinery. 

The role will include the operation, maintenance and cleaning of the combine or machinery, and sometimes basic repairs. 

Agricultural Machinery Operators may work on a large farm or for an agricultural contractor.

Crops can include:

• Combinable crops - wheat, barley, oats and sugar beet, some of which are grown for human consumption, others for animal feed
• Vegetables - some may be sown directly from seed, others planted out as seedlings
• Non-food crops - these include linseed, hemp, flax and oilseed rape
• Energy crops - these can be grown for power and heat generation, and for the production of liquid fuels.

Working Conditions

Agricultural Machinery Operators generally work at least 40 hours a week plus paid overtime when necessary. Early mornings, evenings and weekends are all necessary during busy periods like harvest.

 Making the most of good weather can mean working for long hours and ensuring that machinery can be relied on.

Work can be seasonal and required when the crops are ripe for harvesting. Drivers are likely to operate other agricultural machinery throughout the year depending on requirements.

Machinery can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and be highly technical. Most machines will have an enclosed cab with air conditioning for the operators comfort and safety, computers to drive and provide the operator with the information on the crops they are harvesting.

Next steps

Agricultural Machinery Operators can gain further responsibility on very large farms or nurseries by leading a team. Another option is to be self-employed as an agricultural contractor offering a range of machinery and services to businesses, or with the right training take another route to being an Assistant Farm Manager.

Industry links

British Institute of Agricultural Consultants

My world of work

National Farmers Union Scotland

Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service

Scottish Crofting Federation

Scottish Machinery Rings

Scottish Tenant Farmers Association

Soil Association

Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs

The Site Manager, supported by the Assistant Site Manager or Senior Marine Operative, is responsible for stock management, personnel management, staff development and the promotion of health and safety within the workplace. They must demonstrate commitment to the safety and welfare of their staff, to the livestock within their control and to the environment in the local community and beyond.

Working Conditions

Fish farms operate seven days a week, so farmers usually work flexible hours based around the jobs that need completing at different times of the year. In larger farms, they are likely to work on a rota system with other members of staff. This will include early mornings, evenings and weekends. There may be opportunities for both full-time and part-time working.

Much working time is spent outdoors in all weathers. Many fish farms are relatively remote, so a driving licence is needed. Housing is often provided with the job.

There is a considerable amount of record keeping involved so IT skills are essential.

Next steps

Large fish farms may offer promotion and there may be opportunities to specialise.  Experienced managers may move into other work, such as technical sales, consultancy, teaching, or as an adviser.

It may also be possible to work with private companies or co-operatives and on contract with others in the food supply chain, such as supermarkets.

There may be some opportunities to work abroad.

Useful links

British Trout Association

Institute of Aquaculture - University of Stirling

My World of Work

Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation

Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre

UHI Aquaculture Hub

At this level of job, you will lead a small team in daily operations on site, usually working under the direction of the Assistant Site Manager or Site Manager. The focus will be on successful fish production, including feeding, grading, harvesting, net changing and other general farm maintenance tasks, including boat handling.

Freshwater fish are kept in tanks, ponds, cages, or concrete raceways. Sea fish are usually housed in sea cages or large pens. Shellfish are farmed in their natural marine environment; for example, mussels are reared on ropes hanging in the sea.

In salmon farming, the fish are bred in fresh water for six months to two years, and then transferred to pens in the sea until they are mature and ready to sell.

Working Conditions

Fish farms operate seven days a week, so farmers usually work flexible hours based around the jobs that need completing at different times of the year. In larger farms, they are likely to work on a rota system with other members of staff. This will include early mornings, evenings and weekends. There may be opportunities for both full-time and part-time working.

You need to be comfortable working over water and willing to do flexible hours to meet the demands of the job. This may include overtime and weekend cover, usually in a rota.

Most working time is spent outdoors in all weathers. Many fish farms are in relatively remote sites, but housing is often provided with the job. The work itself is active and involves a lot of heavy lifting, standing, bending and carrying.

Fish farmers may need to collect feed or equipment and make deliveries of fish, so a driving licence is needed.

Next steps

There may be opportunities for fish farm technicians to be promoted to assistant manager or manager in larger fish farms. As there are a limited number of jobs, you may have to move elsewhere to progress in your career.

Some fish farmers, with relevant skills and experience, start up their own farms or move into scientific or technical work, such as research. There are sometimes opportunities to work abroad.

Industry links

British Trout Association

My world of work

Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation

Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre

UHI Aquaculture Hub

An Assistant Fish Farm Site Manager supports day-to-day operations on site, deputising for the Site Manager as required.

They should have several years of fish farming experience, have a sound understanding of fish husbandry and be conscientious about recording and maintaining reliable records.

As well as being highly motivated with communication and planning skills, they should have good IT skills. This is a responsible position, and Assistant Managers need to be flexible about hours worked to meet the demands of the role.

Working Conditions 

Fish farms operate seven days a week, so staff usually work flexible hours based around the jobs that need done at different times of the year. In larger farms, they are likely to work a rota with other members of staff.  This will include early morning, evenings and weekends.  There may be options for full-time and part-time working. 

Much of their time is spent outdoors in all weathers. Many fish farms are relatively remote, although housing is often provided with the job.  The work itself is active and may involve a lot of heavy lifting, standing, bending and carrying. 

Assistant Fish Farm Site Managers may need to collect feed or equipment and make deliveries of fish, so need a driving licence.

Next steps

Useful links

British Trout Association

My world of work

Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation

Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre

UHI Aquaculture Hub

You will be working outdoors as part of a team, focusing on all aspects of successful fish production: feeding, grading, harvesting, net changing and other general farm maintenance tasks, including boat handling.

There are estimated to be more than 530 fish farming businesses throughout the UK employing more than 3,000 people. Job opportunities are in rural areas, in southern, western and central Scotland. Salmon sea-cage farms are located in Dunoon in the South, along the west coast to Cape Wrath in the North, and in the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Northern Isles.

Working Conditions

Fish farms operate seven days a week, so farmers usually work flexible hours based around the jobs that need completing at different times of the year. In larger farms, they are likely to work on a rota system with other members of staff. This will include early mornings, evenings and weekends. There may be opportunities for both full-time and part-time working.

You need to be comfortable working over water. Most working time is spent outdoors in all weather conditions. The work itself is active and involves a lot of heavy lifting, standing, bending and carrying.

Husbandry persons may need to collect feed or equipment and make deliveries of fish, so a full driving licence is normally needed.

Next steps

Useful links

British Trout Association

My world of work

Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation

Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre

UHI Aquaculture Hub