Tilhill Forestry has said no prior training or experience is required to apply for its Forestry Skills Training Programme, which aims to upskill and expand the contractor workforce in Wales.
Tilhill Forestry and Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company (FSF) have announced the continuation of the programme in Wales, having first launched in 2022.
70 candidates applied to the programme last year with the majority of them completing the course and continuing into employment in the forestry industry, Tilhill Forestry said.
This year, in partnership with Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, four training programme placements will be awarded across Wales.
Successful applicants from communities local to FSF’s operations will receive fully-funded training courses which will include forestry-related activities.
Three week-long training sessions will take place in Wales, August, September, October and November.
The syllabus for the programme offers tractor driving, chainsaw skills, first aid training and much more, giving those who take part the skills to build a career in the forestry industry.
Successful candidates will be assigned a Tilhill Forestry mentor to advise on the development of their forestry career.
Upon completion of the course, candidates will be given the opportunity to apply for any available Tilhill Forestry vacancy or wider BSW Group vacancies and work on FSF’s projects.
Interested candidate can apply now via the Tilhill Forestry website before the deadline of July 31, 2024.
‘Valuable and practical’ knowledge
Forestry director at Tilhill Forestry, David Edwards, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer the opportunity for more trainees to gain valuable and practical forestry knowledge in Wales, as part of the fully funded Foresight Sustainable Forestry Skills Training Programme.
“No prior training or experience is required to apply for the programme. We are looking for candidates in Wales who are motivated to learn new skills.
“This opportunity is ideal for people working in agriculture or contractor-based roles, as well as those looking to begin a career in the forestry sector within the local community.”
Co-lead of Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company plc, Richard Kelly, said: “FSF is on track to have planted its entire 5,379ha afforestation portfolio by spring 2025.
“To put this in context, once completed, this is equivalent to one-third of the total area the whole of the UK planted in the year to March 31, 2023.
“Given the scale of FSF’s ongoing woodland creation operation, it is vital we have the skilled workers needed to help shape the next decade of sustainable forestry.
“Rural communities must be empowered to participate in the UK’s burgeoning natural capital economy and we are delighted to see this essential skills programme running for the third consecutive year in Wales.”
Kelly said afforestation will form a key pillar of the UK’s fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.
“Placing local Welsh communities at the forefront of accessing the career opportunities offered by this thriving industry and enabling them to shape its evolution will support a just transition and more sustainable future for all,” he said.
