FORESTRY bosses are encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to take a look at the opportunities the industry can offer through a 'rolling nationwide recruitment drive'. 

The Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) call comes as part of a push to address a national skills and labour shortage in the forestry and land-based careers sector. 

FLS regularly advertises new roles and recently welcomed 49 new colleagues into the organisation: 11 foresters, 18 worksite supervisors and 20 forest craftspersons. A further 52 people who all passed the interview process are now on a reserve list and could be offered a role if suitable vacancies arise. 

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Jo Ellis, FLS's head of planning and environment, said: “Sustainable forestry is highly complex and involves a lot more than ‘simply’ looking after trees. 

“Doing our job well means maintaining our team levels and in a highly competitive arena we do well in attracting the new recruits because people know that working with us, they can turn their talents and abilities towards helping us to make a difference.  

“Most people would be surprised at the sheer range and variety of roles that we have in our teams.

“These can range from the specialised support teams behind the scenes to the people out in the forests who are doing the practical work to produce sustainable materials, improve the visitor experience, or tackle the biodiversity crisis – amongst many other things." 

The roles will be supported by a six-month foundation training programme, which includes a detailed induction, understanding of forestry standards, an introduction to roles and responsibilities and opportunities to meet with colleagues across the organisation.   

Foresters also receive basic site, safety and management training.  

As well as supporting the development of skills and new talent in the land-based sector, FLS also offers other forms of work-based learning – including apprenticeships, which are ideal for anyone looking to take their first steps into land-based careers but who have no relevant experience or transferable skills. 

Jo added: “Everyone who joins us finds out very quickly that they’ve signed up to a unique organisation and that they’ll be working with dedicated, like-minded and supportive colleagues. 

“We have a huge role and responsibility to deliver forests and land that Scotland can be proud of and that are for the benefit of all, now and in the future. 

“We’d like to talk to anyone who thinks they can help us do that.”  

The full range of vacancies include forester, worksite supervisor and craftspeople roles based in locations across Scotland.