Opportunities

Volunteers:

There are sometimes opportunities to volunteer on the farm. We get a substantial amount of interest in these opportunities so they don’t tend to be around for long, but we do try to take on a few extra people each year - especially over the busy Summer period. We are always happy to hear from people who enjoy manual labour and being outside in all weather conditions! Whilst we do take on individuals with no experience, we are equally happy to hear from those with specific skillsets i.e. carpentry.

We are dedicated WWOOF hosts (worldwide opportunities on organic farms) and our profile can be found here: https://wwoof.org.uk/user/1013252

We do not use other sites such as Workaway as we have found them to be an absolutely appaling experience for both host and volunteer where the focus is primarily financial and corporate. WWOOF has history and soul.

Due to the number of enquiries we recieve, regretfully we are not always able to respond to each individual query.

****Below apprentice vacancies now closed****

Apprentices:

Recruiting deputy llama farmers now!

Ever wanted to work on a farm surrounded by animals? Enjoy being outside? Like cuddling turkeys?

Well then we have the role for you! We’re proud to partner with Pembrokeshire Council and the DWP to offer several unique opportunities currently for people aged 16-24 who are currently claiming universal credit.

We’re told that these roles are attracting interest all over the place due to their varied and weird nature, and that the words ‘Pembrokeshire Llamas’ are now being whispered in all of the dark recesses in the Houses of Parliament as various ministers marvel at such opportunities being offered to the young people of West Wales.

Here’s the blurb:

Pembrokeshire Llamas is the number 1 Pembrokeshire attraction on Trip Advisor (as ranked by travellers). Sat somewhere in the middle between agriculture and tourism, we offer a range of llama related activities for both local people and tourists. We are a small family run micro-business that has seen continued growth since we opened. 

The two main parts parts of our business are llama trekking - where customers take our llamas for a guided walk around the valley - and farm stays - where customers stay in a log cabin or glamp with llamas right outside their accommodation.

We are very happy to now be in a position where we can offer several unique work placements to join us in an unusual role where you will have the opportunity to learn about llamas, chickens, geese, turkeys, pigs, land management, customer service, IT skills, social media, marketing, and tourism - a really diverse set of skills that can be drawn upon to kickstart a career in all sorts of different professions. Each work placement will last for 6 months during which time you will be supported by Pembrokeshire Llamas and the DWP to ensure that you leave with the skills and experience required to take your next career step.

There is an endless amount of work to do here, and an endless amount of animals to interact with. Currently, the following animals live on the farm: 10 llamas, 2 pigs, circa 60 chickens / baby chicks, 2 geese, 2 teen turkeys, 10 cats, 1 dog, 1 African Grey parrot, 1 Horsfield tortoise, an attic full of bats (as are some of the barns), a family of hedgehogs (seasonal), a chimney full of honey bees, 3 humans, and often several volunteers. Most days we will also have customers on site visiting the llamas.

Responsibilities and Duties

Animals:

• Llamas - cleaning out stables, feeding haybales, cleaning / filling water troughs, preparing llamas for treks - corralling, brushing, haltering.

• Chickens, geese & turkeys - cleaning the coop, collecting eggs, daily feeding and refilling water.

• Pigs - daily feeding, checking fences, cutting back overgrowth, helping with fence repairs, transporting to new areas of pasture.

• Care and rehabilitation of poorly animals.

Customer Service:

• Come on llama treks and assist customers with their llamas.

• Talk with customers on treks and ensure that they are having a good time.

• Help prepare customer farm accommodation prior to arrival.

Land Management:

• Clearing of brambles and undergrowth to make way for future grazing.

• Clearing invasive plant species.

• Help with wood cutting for customers staying on site.

• Assist with digging and levelling land for future developments.

• Help with fencing.

• General farm tasks.

There may also be opportunities to learn and help with hedge laying, making wooden hurdles, repairing dry stone walls, post and rail fencing, establishing veg plots, re-roofing stables and outbuildings, and many other traditional countryside skills.

Skills and Requirements

No prior experience or qualifications are required for this role. All training will be provided on site.

We are seeking individuals who are:

• Happy, outgoing, and confident around the public and with being around people in general.

• Happy to regularly chat and promote conversation with new customers.

• Comfortable and respectful around animals (including large animals - llama’s heads stand taller than many people - a mature llama’s head will be over 6 foot high).

• Comfortable and confident handling flapping chickens and spending time working amongst chickens.

• Flexible and happy to adapt to farm developments on short notice (i.e. a pig escape, a poorly chicken)

• Content to be outside in all weather conditions including rain and lots of mud.

• Happy to get muddy and undertake a reasonable level of physically demanding work.

• A good sense of humour and a cheerful relaxed outlook on life!

We like to operate a relaxed and flexible work environment with high levels of autonomy for staff, but note that nearly all work for this role will be based outside and we work in all weather conditions. We use little machinery and most work is done by hand. In Winter, land management conditions can be challenging and very muddy. A reasonable level of fitness will be required for the role as llama treks last for an average of two hours and cover roughly 3 miles and we walk this in most weather conditions, up to 4 times a week. Much of the terrain of the farm encompasses steep hills.

This role is for 25 hours per week. There may be some flexibility on which days you can work and length of shifts as we recognise that travel to the farm may be difficult for those without a car. We are happy to discuss this on an individual basis.

Since weekends are our busiest time with customers, some weekend work will likely be required - although we may introduce a shift rotation system for staff if viable, so that everyone gets some weekends off.

Our farm is located in east Pembrokeshire, about 15 minutes north of Clunderwen. Transport links are poor and the easiest way to reach us is via car. We are approx 20 minutes from Narberth, 30 minutes from Haverfordwest or Newport, 36 minutes from Carmarthen, Fishguard or Tenby. 40 minutes from Milford Haven or Pembroke Dock. There is a bus stop at the top of the main road, and we are about a 30 min walk from here. 

For further information please contact Matt via matt@llamas.wales

****Apprentice vacancies now closed****