7: An inspirational career path

Asking rights of way workers how they came into their current roles could provide as many different answers as there are people, and the majority have fallen into it by accident!In this episode, we talk to Charlotte Ditchburn, whose career covers a unique range, with a number of moves. The difficulties of her early career  will be familiar to many listeners – how do you gain experience when all jobs demand experience, in a low paid sector with high reliance on unpaid labour, which you may not be able to afford to undertake? – but Charlotte's progression of her career will also be inspirational, both for those starting out and others who may be feeling 'stuck'.The lack of qualification and recognised career path is frustrating for anyone who wants to work in the rights of way sector. This is why IPROW is looking closely at apprenticeship as 'a way in', as well as to improve skills of those already in the sector. Episode 6 tells you more about how apprenticeships work, and there will soon be a future episode with apprenticeships in roles other than maintenance/ranger work.The views of speakers and the presenter are not necessarily those of IPROW. Nothing in any IPROW podcast should be taken as legal advice or used beyond the context of the podcast. The podcast is aimed at IPROW's members, a knowledgeable audience, though not expressly limited to them.Find out more about membership of IPROW.IPROW is the Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management, which was established in 1986 as the membership organisation representing professionals involved in the management of public rights of way and access in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, principally as local government officers (and then called the Institute of Public Rights of Way Officers).It has grown into an active and dynamic network providing advice, training, advocacy and networking to its members.Mission StatementTo represent and promote the views and interests of members, raise professional standards, encourage the exchange of ideas and information in public rights of way and access management, and foster communication and co-operation between related bodies.