Peter Jones Enterprise Academy students were recently visited by local Forestry Commission worker Katie Stapleton. Katie came into college to talk to students about her work at Wendover Woods and of the opportunities for business students.
The Wendover Woods location has recently undergone a £4.5m transformation to upgrade the visitor facilities, including a new restaurant/cafeteria, an extended accessible parking area and upgraded outdoor attractions. The venue is well known for its 'Go-Ape' tree top adventure, orienteering routes, family cycle trails, 'Parkrun' and children's activities.
Katie's role involves publicising these attractions to a wider audience, but also encouraging businesses to engage more with the Commission generally and Wendover Woods specifically. She leads the 'Active Forest' programme, increasing awareness of the benefits of outdoor active leisure activities and seeking sponsorship and involvement from the world of commerce.
Katie talked to the students about the increasing emphasis on the need for former public-funded bodies like the Forestry Commission to embrace more business-focused skills whilst retaining a strong environmental and ecological ethos. She explained how careers in the FC would suit business students with a passion for the outdoors, and that she had been particularly impressed with the way in which all employees were made to feel part of the team, with a hands-on attitude from everyone in the organisation.
