Student Placements, Work Experience & Volunteering at PCF
Work experience and/or volunteering with PCF can enhance your knowledge and understanding of what it is like to work in the marine sector. Skills learnt in education can be put into practice and developed during your time spent at PCF. It may also provide you with ideas for further education and allow you to create networks with other companies involved in the marine industry.
As part of a close knit team, you will have the opportunity to assist with a variety of different projects including:
Marine Code
Outdoor Charter
Coastal Curriculum
Wales Activity Mapping
Marine Energy Wales
PCF is an innovative and forward thinking social enterprise. We wish to involve and offer work experience and volunteering opportunities to people who share our passion for the coastal environment and embrace our values and ways of working.
PCF Placement Description and Specification (PDF)
This document gives you an understanding of the type of work you will be undertaking with us and will give you an idea of the type of person we are looking for to be part of our team.
PCF placement application form (opens as a word doc)
This document must be completed and posted to PCF as directed. We regret CV’s will not be accepted. We would recommend you send a covering letter with your application form explaining why you think you are the right candidate for the placement.
Hear from those who have volunteered with us in the past …
Past volunteers have used their experience and networking skills to their advantage, gaining jobs in the field.
Caitlin Evans| July – August 2021
During my month-long placement with PCF I gained several valuable skills and was given numerous opportunities. I gained an understanding of the many projects taking place through PCF and had the opportunity to interact with them all, my confidence also increased as I attended many meetings held both within PCF and with external partners, in both of which I felt very welcomed. Working mainly on the CCAT team where I updated virtual educational resources, my skills in research and IT were developed. Via the team at PCF I was also put in touch with a number of people working at partner companies, helping me to gain an understanding of jobs available for my future in this sector and allowing me to network with them. Although my placement took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, so work was all online, I still felt involved and encouraged by all of the team at PCF and adjusting to online working was made easier. I was also lucky enough to undertake some primary data collection through collecting 360 degree images of Amroth beach, this a useful skill for the future also. I would highly recommend a placement at PCF for anyone looking to work in this sector, not only for the skills you will gain but also for the lovely welcoming team you get to meet!
Anwen Jones| August 2020
“I am incredibly grateful to the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Marine Energy Wales for allowing me to undertake a virtual work experience during ongoing work restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The opportunity has helped inform my university applications for degree courses linked to the marine renewable energy sector, responsible geological exploration and oceanography.
“During the week I have enjoyed learning about the processes of marine energy and the wide and varied stakeholder roles in large scale projects such as the META, from the initial proposal and research phase; the marketing and public consultation of offshore energy. I was particularly involved in researching environmental impact assessments for META including underwater noise pollution and the impact on commercial shipping and fishing. The virtual experience has encouraged me to apply the information learnt in a more practical sense in readiness for undergraduate study, at university and beyond.”
Ella Sutton| May - August 2020
“Through volunteering with PCF I have really enjoyed learning about the history of Amroth and how it’s landscape has changed over time. I would like to thank the staff, particularly Tim and Alex for making the volunteering possible, even through covid times!”
Ella volunteered with us remotley and has been developing activities so pupils can find out about how coastal processes, human activity and climate change have shaped Amroth. These resources will support our work with Pembrokeshire Schools and will complement our visits to this site when its practical to take groups there again.
You can find out more about CCAT here and our education work here.
Dan Bakewell | July 2019 - February 2020
“This is a fantastic opportunity to gather relevant experience in a working environment within the environmental sector. My time here was mostly spent inputting and updating data on the Wales Activity Mapping project, this developed my practical problem solving skills with the GIS software which is not commonly developed in an academic setting.
“Everyone made me feel part of the team where I was invited to attend weekly meetings with PCF staff as well as events that allowed me to gather contacts in other organisations, members of the PCF team put me in contact with other work experience opportunities with the Pembrokeshire National Park and Keep Wales Tidy. The team couldn’t do more to help improve job prospects, the Education Manager and Business Development Manager held a mock interview for me so I could get a better understanding on what to expect and the criteria I would need to fulfil. PCF is a great opportunity for anyone who wants the opportunity to work on projects that noticeably impact the Pembrokeshire Coast.”
Jack Wilkinson-Dix | January - March 2020
“I volunteered with PCF after completing my Master’s. Being from Pembrokeshire, it was really rewarding to use the knowledge and skills I had developed during my studies to further the important work PCF undertakes. Everyone in the team was incredibly kind and supportive, offering me opportunities throughout PCF’s work schemes.
Whilst working with Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum I was able to contribute to a number of projects. In particular, I was heavily involved with putting together the latest Marine Energy Wales State of the Sector report (2020). This involved liaising with marine energy developers, collating industry data, drafting text, and consulting relevant policy. As well as this, I was also able to attend meetings of marine industry figures and wider stakeholder groups. The contacts and experience I gained whilst working with PCF will be invaluable in my future career and played no small part in helping me secure my current full-time role. I can’t recommend a work experience placement with PCF enough.”
Grace Millman | August 2019
“During my time spent volunteering with Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, I was asked to create a staff training resource on how to effectively communicate climate change. This involved summarising current thinking around climate change, researching into effective communications and analysing the challenges that we currently face in talking about climate change. As the writer for my own website, understanding more about how to successfully debunk climate myths and engage the wider public was very interesting and motivating. I was also pleased that my work had a direct link to their exciting new CCAT project, looking at how coastal communities can adapt to climate change.
During the month, I also travelled around Pembrokeshire carrying our Wales Activity Mapping Interviews and visiting the Centre for Alternative Technology, making my placement very varied. I would definitely recommend doing a placement with PCF, the team are so lovely and friendly and my time in Pembrokeshire flew by!”
Mathilda Rouze | July 2019
“During the month I spent with Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, I was able to get involved in a variety of interesting projects. I principally worked on the operations management plan for META and scrutinized the relevant legislative and policy considerations necessary for an optimal operations management plan. I was also given the chance to research marketing strategies to promote marine energy awareness, attend meetings and even assist on a school snorkelling trip.
I have learnt so much throughout this versatile experience and it was a pleasure to work amongst a very supportive and friendly team. The knowledge and skills I have gained at PCF will be very helpful for my master’s application and personal growth. I had a fantastic time along the breath-taking Pembrokeshire coast and I would recommend PCF to anyone with an interest for the marine environment and renewable energies.”
Molly McHarg | September 2018 – February 2019
“I started my 21 week placement at PCF in September 2018 as part of my Marine Geography Placement year from Cardiff University. I got to work on a variety of projects including Wales Activity Mapping, Pembrokeshire Marine Code and META. In addition to learning more about Pembrokeshire’s coastline I also gained a variety of new skills that will be extremely useful to me when completing my final year of study and later on in my career.
During my time at PCF I was lucky enough to complete a GIS foundation training course, attend a variety of meetings, create social media content and assist on school trips with local schools. PCF has a very friendly and supportive working environment and I would high recommend PCF to anyone that is looking for a varied and challenging placement.”
Hannah Cooper | June, 2018
“During the month I spent with Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, I was able to get involved with a whole variety of interesting things to do with Pembrokeshire’s beautiful coastline. From preparing social media tweets, to promoting their annual Wildlife Photo Competition, to attending meetings. I was also fortunate enough to assist on a school trip and classroom workshop with pupils from a local primary school.
The people who work here are all very welcoming and friendly. I have been very fortunate to have been able to learn so much alongside the nicest of people. I would highly recommend PCF to anyone who is interested in either volunteering or gaining work experience.”
Elliot Martin | January, 2018
“I joined PCF for a month in January 2018. Being from around Pembrokeshire, working with PCF was ideal as a lot of the projects they are involved in are to do with our amazing coastline. I had the chance to help organise and attend consultation events on the new Wales marine plan and gain valuable insight into the complications/process of drafting marine legislation from Welsh government officials themselves. Alongside the consultations, I worked on updating the marine code app, an informative and educational mobile app. From this I have gained valuable work experience which will definitively help me after my masters and I would highly recommend PCF to anyone interested in our coastline, looking for work experience or a big tea drinker!”
Jenny Allen | Year Placement Student 2013/2014
“I joined PCF in July 2013 for a 12 month placement from Cardiff University as part of my degree in Marine Geography. As a local to Pembrokeshire, this placement allowed me to gain a wealth of experience relevant to my degree in my home county. During my time with PCF I helped to organise events, I wrote the PCF newsletter, updated project websites and managed the Enjoy Milford Haven Waterway project. I really enjoyed working with the PCF team and would recommend a placement with them to anyone that is looking for a wide variety of experience in the marine or coastal environment.”
Hannah Taylor | August, 2012
“During the time at PCF I did so many different things. I helped to edit their website, made a template for the PCF leaflet, put data into spread sheets and also found information to go into the PCF newsletter.
I have learnt so much from being in this work environment. Also the people who work here are so friendly, they made it a really enjoyable experience and I would definitely recommend to anyone else to volunteer or do work experience here”.