What are some UK jobs that are mostly outside?

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KaleidoscopicColours@reddit

How about one of the National Trust's countryside jobs? https://www.nationaltrustjobs.org.uk/where-you-could-work/countryside There's also a big shortage of people in agriculture. If you're keen and willing to learn, you may be able to find a farmer who's willing to take you on as a labourer.

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Maester_Magus@reddit

I'd *love* a Ranger job... Until I look at the salary, and then I wonder how in the hell anyone is supposed to live and support a family doing that. Talk about undervalued.

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qqwertyy@reddit

Late to the thread, but popping into the thread to say the same. I was only an assistant ranger mind you, but here's my experience: went for an interview for a new role up near the peak district. I was a full time volunteer at that moment, before I'd secured a paid role. 6 hours on trains to get up there. Trust didn't offer a penny in travel expenses despite the fact I was an unpaid intern. 3 hour, multi-stage interview to assess my tools on the skills, my people skills, general interview bit, etc. Didn't get the gig and it was immensely competitve, something like 100+ applicants I think they said. For a 22k role. If your heart's really in this, it's worth working for private countryside contractors learning things like chainsaw work, strimming, fencing, doing gates, bit of livestock care etc. Then if you can find a team (or better, teams) of rangers that sometimes don't have enough hands on deck to get things done, you'll be able to work alongside them and volunteers while earning a better day rate. Shit, we had a few contractors who were on far better money than us and practically considered part of the gang. Usual risks of self-employment, no sick pay, no pension, etc.

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leafyseadragon379@reddit

I have worked for the NT as a ranger for a few years now and the lack of salary (even compared to equivalent jobs in the conservation charity sector - RSPB etc) is making me question whether I can do it long term. It used to be so competitive - 100+ people per job and now due to cost of living, the NT is starting to struggle to recruit. I really hope they review the pay though as I love my job!

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david4460@reddit

What terrible salaries

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

Thank you for that link, will keep my eyes on it and see if anything pops up near me. I am definitely up for working in agriculture. I live in Hampshire so a decent amount of farms about. I'll try and see what work is going when I have a new car.

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33_pyro@reddit

Bear in mind these kinds of jobs are quite desirable so the pay is shite.

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Bangkokbeats10@reddit

You can swap being depressed in spring and summer being stuck inside, to being depressed in autumn and winter when you’re stuck outside.

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dancinggloves@reddit

postie :)

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

Probably will be the next job I go for tbh. Heard some bad things about the pressure and that the contract is bad but I reckon there will still be more pros than cons.

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Latter_Table193@reddit

Just left last year because of how awful it is. Delivery office depending, its really luck of the draw of how you will be treated and how shite your manager will be. Getting to be outside is nice, and 99% of the customers are pleased to see you, but it was all for nothing imo when you're knackered all the time, over worked and spoken to like dog shit by management. You won't be given a round until all the oldies leave and will be thrown from pillar to post after having 2 days of shadowing someone who's annoyed you're slowing them down, then you'll be chucked into a barely road legal van on your own with no clue of what you're doing. Dogs will attack you. Also take into account you deliver in all weather - 35 degree heat, snow storms, hail and gale force winds. A lot of the folk therr ate institutionalised. Its all they know but i hated it towards the end. It's a sink or swim job, and good luck if you go for it!

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cantteachstupid@reddit

Couldn’t agree more. I worked for Royal Fail for 5 years and it became progressively worse. What is put Upon you and how you’re ’managed’ is demoralising to say the least. It’s not fit for purpose.

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Latter_Table193@reddit

Yup. I can imagine there are some tolerable DOs to work at, but on the whole, from having spent time in a couple as cover and at my local one, it's shite. Screamed in my face by a manager because I didn't do something I wasn't shown how to do, on the sorting room floor in front of everyone. Kept changing my days off without telling me (not even changed on the paper rota) and phoning me up, irate that I wasn't in work with the threat of saying I was taking an unauthorised absence if I didn't get in ASAP. Shit like that. Doesn't hold a candle to how it used to be. I gave it a shot because my Grandad used to do it and loved it, and I think he would be turning in his grave if he saw it now. But this is also the company that only just go clocking in machines for staff, in 2023. Rotten from the top down, which is sad, because some of the best people I've ever worked with work there and I wouldn't want to see them lose their jobs, but they would be happier people elsewhere for sure.

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cantteachstupid@reddit

They do say a fish rots from its head.

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Latter_Table193@reddit

And I would totally believe that!

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Farting_Llama@reddit

I did this for two years during pandemic and while trying to get through the mess of also being a student at that time. I have several friends who've been at Royal Mail for a while so it seemed safe, though all but one have stayed since. There's been an enormous change in management culture and it shows. I worked out of a rural depot for a bit and it was pretty cool, then I got sent to a city office and within an hour had been verbally abused by a manager I had never spoken to before (for something I had no clue about), sent out in a really bad van, yelled at over the phone again. The very same week I was attacked by a dog. I put in notice, left, discovered I'd been overpaid the next week and reported it, and then rather than just take my money, they sent a debt collector after me. Actually being out there and delivering was mostly ok, but you dreaded going back to depot. Refusing to do unplanned overtime got you on the shitlist, and I could not do unplanned overtime, I had to be in college, which got me on the 'fucking student' shitlist too.

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Latter_Table193@reddit

Sounds about right for RM! I couldn't so overtime as I was dealing with a health condition during the latter part of my tenure and was shat on completely for it. Given shit rounds and put with people who had been taken off driving duties who would then drive the van. Final straw was being attacked by a dog, text pictures of the damage to my manager, he saw the message and didn't bother replying. Shocked pikachu face when I handed my notice and explained why. Wasn't about to get mauled by an XL or something and not have them give a shit about it. Fuckers.

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dancinggloves@reddit

The new contracts aren’t great compared to the old ones, but its not like you can go back 20+ years to get a good one. still probably the best job i’ve ever had, and there’s still lots of benefits. I think the pressure is bad when you start and its all new, but if i can do it, basically anyone can!

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Al-Calavicci@reddit

Dustman, milkman, postman, tree surgeon, garden maintenance, dog walker, road maintenance, rail maintenance, street sweeper, window cleaner, fruit picker, nose picker, turf layer, groom, jockey, farmer, dog warden, gamekeeper, roofer, thatcher, post box painter, big issue seller, river/canal dredger, skydiving instructor, car washer, brick layer, landscaper, private investigator, countryfile presenter, septic tank emptying operative, roadside motoring assistance, horse trainer, zoo keeper, theme park operator, ice cream man. That’s it, lost interest now.

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cant-say-anything@reddit

You missed my job....trolley collector lol

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CyberGlint@reddit

There's alot of Inside IR35 jobs too haha ;-)

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TheMinceKid@reddit

Prostitute

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dizzley@reddit

Postie is a great job, about 70% outside, lots of exercise and nobody is on your back once outside on your walk.

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Accomplished-Art7737@reddit

Have a look on Civil Service jobs. Departments like the Environment Agency, DEFRA and Forestry Commission often recruit for field based roles.

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MelmanCourt@reddit

Fish farming in Scotland

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SoftWhiteBap@reddit

Roofer probably

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jj198hands@reddit

Tree surgeon? Probably quite a lot of training but seems to be very well paid, especially if you work for yourself.

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PeaceDuck@reddit

I read somewhere that tree surgeons have very low rates of suicide and the trade is generally a one of the happier ones. Fresh air, decent money, and self employment must be good for the soul and the mind.

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TSC-99@reddit

My friend left an office job to become a rubbish collector on the trucks. She said her mental health has really improved!

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Exact-Put-6961@reddit

Fibre engineers get well paid. Splicing fibre optic at top of a pole, not everyone's comfort zone but you are outside. Learn with BT then contracting if you wish

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

This is what I have been thinking about for a while now. Seems like a good future proof trade, something aligned with my interests in technolgy/IT and something a bit more techincal than a trade like bricklaying. Openreach are the BT company that do that side of things right?

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Exact-Put-6961@reddit

Yes. Guys that did poles near me were independent contractors working as a pair, for a fibre installer. Certainly one had got his training at BT. I know no more. Just had a chat with them.

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privilegedwhiner@reddit

Road repairs, although there is little call for it these days.

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Frequent-Skin-3466@reddit

In a garden centre

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mitchanium@reddit

Construction Surveying Asset management Engineering Policing National trust Chugging

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antsmithmk@reddit

I think you should become a golfer. Typically you only work Thursday and Friday. Unless you are really good then you will nnes to work the weekend. Pay is good, lots of travel, see the world and it's all outdoors.

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Sszaj@reddit

Linesman (installing HV conductor on those big pylons you see all over the country) Plenty of apprenticeships getting people in and the pay once you're experienced is very good with major shortages across the UK, especially when considering the future work required to charge EVs and run domestic electric boilers. You would be outside in all weathers, possible in some bleak locations, 40-50metres from the ground and likely to work a 60+ hour week fairly regularly.

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

Was considering wind turbine stuff but iirc that requires an offshore style medical that I would be unlikely to pass due to blood thinners. Linesman is something that sound interesting to me so I will have a look at that. Do you know if thats the sort of thing someone can get on with just english and maths GCSE?

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Sszaj@reddit

Here are a some details and a few examples with a contractor and a couple of Distribution Network Operators, essentially yes, average GCSEs will get you an interview. [https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/power-industry-overhead-linesperson-v1-0](https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/power-industry-overhead-linesperson-v1-0) [https://www.morgansindallinfrastructure.com/join-our-team/vacancies/76354/](https://www.morgansindallinfrastructure.com/join-our-team/vacancies/76354/) [https://careers.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/job/2024-Experienced-Apprentice-Programme-London-Region-Lond/1139091400/](https://careers.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/job/2024-Experienced-Apprentice-Programme-London-Region-Lond/1139091400/) [https://careers.sse.com/jobs/distribution-craft-apprenticeships-london-london-england-united-kingdom-isle-of-wight-hampshire-hampshire-reading-berkshire-berkshire-new-forest-hampshire-dundee-tayside-scotland-dunoon-argyl](https://careers.sse.com/jobs/distribution-craft-apprenticeships-london-london-england-united-kingdom-isle-of-wight-hampshire-hampshire-reading-berkshire-berkshire-new-forest-hampshire-dundee-tayside-scotland-dunoon-argyl)

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

Oh nice thank you for those links. Will apply to one and keep my eye open for others.

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Saint_Malo@reddit

Tree surgeon

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Ok_Database8738@reddit

supermarket delivery driver. come rain wind or sunshine, you shall be outside delivering food to the masses

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Ok_Database8738@reddit

or in the van

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Terrible-Group-9602@reddit

Driving jobs

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WolfColaCo2020@reddit

I'm sure there's landscape gardening companies willing to take on somebody who hasn't had experience in doing it before. Always need a pair of hands to do shovel work etc.

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Remote_Echidna_8157@reddit

Go pick some strawberries in the field.

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BambooSound@reddit

Agriculture

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

Yeah I was looking at that when I left school but never went for it for some reason. Would it be better to go and get some kind of qualification from an agricultural college before looking for jobs on farms?

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BambooSound@reddit

I imagine you'd be alright but I'm a city boy so I don't really know. I just know there are jobs (and no roofs) in farming

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m0scavide1@reddit

Network rail

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

Looked into the apprenticeships with them but I dont meet the educational requirements and didn't see any level 2 apprenticeships with lower requirments.

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SmashingTeaCups@reddit

You don’t need to limit yourself to an apprenticeship, there’s a load of outdoorsy jobs at network rail that you can get right off the street, mobile ops manager, incident officer, signal technician etc

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Small-External4419@reddit

Land surveyor. You make details maps for use in housing developments, construction projects, quarries and mines etc. No qualifications needed and there are apprenticeships out there.

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wainstones@reddit

Arborist is decent money, but you need to go do an nvq

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

No issue with going back into education providing it actually leads to a job. I am on blood thinners though so unsure if that would be a great fit. Then again there shouldn't be an issue providing I always wear PPE and take into account health and safety.

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wainstones@reddit

If you’re bleeding from a chainsaw you probably have bigger issues haha

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

Yeah thats what I am thinking lmao. Any accidents in that job and you're kinda fucked regardless.

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Patsero@reddit

I’ve been a tree surgeon for about 4 years now and honestly I wouldn’t get into it if I was you bud. By the time you do your course and buy all the kit/saws/van it’s not even worth it for the money you make. It’s an incredibly dangerous and hard job and you can make alright money but not really worth it considering standard pay for uk climbers is around £150 a day. Some get more some get less spending on where you are but unless you’re gonna start your own company pretty soon i wouldn’t even bother

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Thatch90@reddit

Meter fitter/meter reader

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Forsaken-Language-26@reddit

Garden landscaping?

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Several-Addendum-18@reddit

Window cleaning?

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Big_Poppa_T@reddit

Bin man

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Monsterpike14@reddit

Roofer

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WarWonderful593@reddit

Bricklayer. Roofer.

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Plumb121@reddit

Parking warden

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FreedomEagle76@reddit (OP)

Don't know if this is just having a laugh but I genuinely would probably enjoy this lmao.

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Aidenk77@reddit

Refuse collector. Street cleaner. Farm hand.

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JamOverCream@reddit

Various forestry jobs, power engineering, commercial fishing, bricklayer, land ranger & other land management careers, loads of other utilities jobs that are not telecoms, farming & agronomy careers, various marine careers - that’s just off the top of my head.

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