A lack of new entrants into forestry threatens ambitious national targets for more tree planting as we strive for net zero. Here, Forestry Journal finds out how Lantra is encouraging recruits through its new website.
THE UK government and devolved administrations have pledged to significantly increase the amount of land covered by trees to hit the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
However, the ambitious targets require the critical skills shortage in forestry to be reversed, and Lantra is aiming to help facilitate this through its new training and careers website.
NEGATIVE MISCONCEPTIONS
There are still some negative misconceptions about being a forester, and with limited colleges and facilities providing forestry courses, this inevitably means too few young people are attracted into the industry.
A recent Forestry Skills Group report found forestry workforce numbers in Scotland needed to increase by 72 per cent to meet demand. A separate Forestry Workforce Research study suggested a 66-per-cent expansion in personnel was needed in England by 2030 to deliver future work programmes and tree-planting targets set out in policy.
In response, Lantra CEO Marcus Potter has said the not-for-profit organisation has invested in a fresh online resource that aims to highlight the myriad of rewarding roles within land-based sectors including forestry, and the pathways new entrants can follow.
The growth in programmes like the DEFRA and Forestry Commission Forestry Training Fund and the Scottish Women in Forestry Training Fund – which cover training costs for short, practical forestry courses – can help ramp up the supply of skilled people caring for the UK’s forests.
He added that while some other organisations provide some careers information, this is often fragmented and not always easy to find.
“Our new website provides careers information for forestry and other sectors in one convenient place, making the process of identifying and landing your dream job much simpler than before,” explained Marcus.
SHOWCASING ROLES
It showcases more than 250 roles across land-based sectors, including forestry, and provides detailed information on qualifications and training needed and how to get it.
Expected pay and conditions, common day-to-day tasks and likely career progression routes are also shown.
When starting out as a forester, recruits can expect to progress into various roles as they upskill, or indeed reskill, when they have a clearer idea of what they want to specialise in and focus on, whether it be a senior forest worker, a forest supervisor, a forest officer or forest ranger.
There are further opportunities to specialise in areas such as forestry planning or technical development, and some experienced individuals may decide to become self-employed in these areas.
REWARDING WORK
Marcus said one of the biggest benefits of working with trees is spending time in nature, which is proven to be personally rewarding for employees, who are having a positive impact on the environment.
As well as supporting a low-carbon economy, trees play an important part in protecting biodiversity and habitats, enhancing our ecology, and sustaining our mental and physical well-being. Forestry offers a range of physically active, outdoor roles such as tree planting, maintenance and harvesting timber.
“If a potential new entrant enjoys working outdoors, and has a passion for our environment, all the technical skills necessary can be gained with the right training and qualifications,” said Marcus.
Relevant courses, including degrees, diplomas, and practical courses such as chainsaw use and maintenance are all detailed by Lantra for each role within forestry.
This helps not only career seekers, and those wishing to develop their careers in the sector, but also employers within forestry, showing them skills and training their employees need, and how to find courses.
There is also information on apprenticeships, which are a useful tool for recruiting and retaining staff.
INCLUSIVE INDUSTRY
Marcus hopes the new website will help deepen the talent pool by shaking off misconceptions about the industry that might have prevented people from considering forestry as a career option.
Although there is a perception foresters are all ‘checked shirts and beards’, this is changing. For example, currently 45 per cent of the Forestry England workforce is female, although commercial forestry is still male dominated and certainly more work needs to be done to improve underrepresentation across all protected characteristics, not just gender.
Encouraging people from a wider range of backgrounds is another reason for the creation of the new careers resource which complements other activities.
One such activity is the STEM Forestry Ambassador scheme, which aims to utilise the existing skills and knowledge of those working in the sector to inspire and encourage young people into exploring forestry as a viable professional career.
Ambassadors help young people understand how skills and qualifications in STEM subjects (sciences, technology, engineering and maths) and IT, amongst others, are required for careers in forestry.
Marcus said: “Lantra is also investing in research to improve our understanding of where the skills and labour pinch points are in land-based industries, which is a vital service.
“The information gleaned from that ongoing work will improve our training services and identify areas where we need to work with specialist third parties to deliver on industry needs.”
CAREERS CASE STUDY: NEVER A BETTER TIME TO CHOOSE FORESTRY
Two people with vast experience of the industry say there has never been a better time to get into forestry, with many exciting roles on offer.
Stephen Hailes and John Williamson both agree Lantra’s new website can help link the right people with positions offering good pay and opportunities to progress.
Stephen worked in several roles in his career, including field studies of the pine weevil Hylobius abietis for the FC. He then spent 18 months working in the Finnish timber industry, before settling into a forestry career on his return to the UK. He now runs Dumfries-based H&W Training alongside John, and the recent increase in people enrolling in forestry-related courses is encouraging.
New trainees are coming from many backgrounds and finding different routes into forestry, including the more academic courses for workers to process grant and planning applications or manage health and safety.
“Of course, there is also the practical side, with people taking up jobs planting and maintaining trees, and harvesting timber,” he said.
John started out in commercial forestry in 1984 and has been at the coalface for much of his career, operating the machinery for contractors across Scotland.
The most acute skills shortage has been in these practical roles, with one major historical barrier being the employment conditions. Workers used to be employed on a piecework basis, offering no security for those with families and a mortgage to pay if they were sick or injured.
John said today’s industry is much different, with positive change seeing professional contractors and private estates offering much better pay and conditions than before. He pointed out it’s not the extreme physical job it once was either, with greatly increased mechanisation.
At recent taster days run by John, attendees had the chance to drive a £280,000 John Deere forwarder – and there was plenty of interest.
John said: “It requires good hand-eye co-ordination, an aptitude for machinery operation and use of the latest digital technology, which many folk are used to now. We are also getting a lot of women into the industry and they get on fantastic, too.”
READ MORE: Forestry: Potential operators given taste of John Deere forwarder
Stephen said that traditionally there has not been a lot of information for those looking to get into forestry roles, but the Lantra website highlights the options available.
“It gives a good starting point and outlines how to get the right training. That’s crucial, as you can’t make a start without basic qualifications.”
He added that the cost of training can be reduced through various funding programmes, including the Forestry Commission’s Forestry Training Fund, which offers 100-per-cent grants for those living and working in England who want to build and diversify their skills in forestry.
Demand has been high, so new applicants can only apply for funding of courses starting after 1 April, 2024.
He said: “These incentives, combined with plenty of work on offer, mean there’s never been a better time to get into the industry.”
Careers services from Lantra – key points
- Lantra launches new website resource for careers in land-based industries
- Shows key information about various roles, including skills requirements
- Employees can learn how their career might progress within the sector
- Employers benefit by finding ways to upskill and retain staff
- Information on apprenticeships available soon
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