A Pretty Rad Youth Training Programme – Reflections of a Trainee

If you were to ask me how I would describe my experience as an Energy Garden trainee in one word, it would be radical, in all senses of the word. 

It was radical in that it transformed my understanding of sustainability. Through a range of modules from biodiversity to business studies, I gained first-hand exposure to diverse topics in sustainability that I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to explore.*

One session I found especially valuable was on fuel poverty. In the session, Martin, the COO of the organisation, reviewed each trainee’s submitted energy bills and explained exactly what we, or our families, were paying for. Technical terms were demystified, and we got a good grasp on how the energy grid operates, current technologies for energy efficiency, and how inequity exists in this structure. The opportunity to build this kind of knowledge and employable skills, while being paid, was a privilege.

The exposure to a wide range of topics and people was especially important to me as a young person figuring out where to take my career. If you’re feeling that same frustration, this is a great opportunity to explore the kinds of roles that actually exist in sustainability. One highlight for me was meeting Claire, a director at Energy Garden and part of the ethical investing organisation TriplePoint. She opened my eyes to impact investing as a way to pursue sustainability goals, such as supporting clean energy ventures, through finance. Moreover, it was also deeply enriching to meet people, especially women, who have made such successful careers in this field. Learning from their journeys and hearing their advice helped my own personal development. Most sessions leveraged skilled staff and partners, which gave us space to not only ask complex questions but also to learn how they got into their roles, helping us build both knowledge and social capital.

The traineeship was also radical simply in its existence. Not many people who look like us, or come from similar backgrounds, are represented in the sustainability sector. Providing training and supporting us with professional development is a radical act in itself. The programme includes built-in support to help us reflect on our strengths and weaknesses. Leila, the educational lead, was present at every session and held one-to-one meetings with each of us. Through those conversations, I gained valuable insight into how I work in group settings, and together we set personalised goals for my professional development. This opportunity isn’t a mask for using our labour; it’s a genuine investment in us.

Energy Garden’s investment in me has helped me tremendously. I recently secured a 4-month traineeship with the London Wildlife Trust. With their continued support, I also received a £500 Grow Wild grant from Kew to establish a wildflower meadow at Willesden Junction Station. I also had a paid opportunity to speak at a Patagonia event hosted by Energy Garden where I spoke about belonging to the land as someone whose heritage is from far away. This was an amazing opportunity offered by Energy Garden to network and express my experience.

Because of this programme, I’m more confident, knowledgeable, and certain about the direction of my career. If anything I’ve said has resonated with you, don’t hesitate to apply. You could be part of a growing group of young people whose stories speak to the real value of this traineeship. What you’ll learn, who you’ll meet, and who you’ll become are truly worth it. 

And lastly, this experience was radical in the sense that it was pretty rad, you know.

*Use this link to see the range of modules and if they interest you.

Aanchal joined the Spring 2025 cohort after graduating from university in May 2024. She studied Biology at university and became interested in urban nature and how to support urban biodiversity. She joined the youth programme to get employable skills and learn about the wider range of job opportunities available in the sustainability sector alongside learning hands-on gardening and habitat surveying skills.