Forestry training programme delivers immediate results
An award-winning forestry training programme supported by Scottish Woodlands has proved it can put young people on a pathway to employment.
Graduates from the 2026 programme celebrate their success with lecturers and supporters of the programme, including Eddie Addis, Director (North) for Scottish Woodlands Ltd, back row, 7th right
Rachel McDowall, a student on The Forestry Operations New Entrants Programme 2026, was offered a tree planting job on graduation day in April, and started work the next day!
Rachel McDowall, a 2026 graduate from the Forestry Operations New Entrants programme, who got a job the day she graduated, pictured with UHI Inverness Principal Chris O'Neil
She said in a new video showcasing the course: “It’s the best experience of my life, the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Before the course started, I was unemployed. My Universal Credit work coach sent me the application, and straight away it was like a light in my head and I never looked back!”
Rachel after graduating and finding out she has a job
The intensive five-week course, designed to attract people who wouldn’t otherwise consider a career in forestry, was launched in 2025. It won the Building Industry Resilience Award in the Confor forestry awards, and returned bigger and better in 2026, with 12 students.
Clara Browne, one of the 2026 graduates, planting a tree at the Scottish School of Forestry
Zoe Austin, Portfolio Manager for Aviva Investors, which funds the programme, said: “It's really important to grow programmes like this, to get more skilled people into this fantastic industry. It's brilliant to see numbers growing and we hope it goes from strength to strength.”
Tom Croy, Investment Director with Par Equity, part of the PXN Group which supports the delivery of the course, said: “We had over 100 applications for the programme, and could have filled it three times over. We're delighted to have so many partners come on board but the message to the industry is we need financial support and commitment to take this course forward and grow it further.”
Scottish Woodlands supported the course in 2025 and 2026 with equipment and expertise. Eddie Addis, Director (North), who attended the 2026 graduation day, said: “Courses like this are very important in bringing new people into the sector to gain practical experience. This helps massively when employing new staff, as they engage with contractors and landowners a lot better.”
Eddie Addis at the Scottish School of Forestry on graduation day
Claire Glaister, Project Coordinator of Future Woodlands Scotland, which supported four students on the course, said: “There are about 200 community woodland groups in Scotland, and some struggle with getting funding, taking on people and giving them the skills they need. The course gives them practical, hands-on skills to work in the forest.”
Neil Cleland, Deputy Head of Curriculum at the Scottish School of Forestry (SSF) in Inverness, where the course is delivered, said: “They bonded as a group, with great team working and support. If I was an industry partner, that's what you want in a squad; a team that helps each other out.”
Chris O’Neil, Principal of UHI Inverness, which covers SSF, said: “I'm delighted that the quality of these graduates, and their commitment, has been recognized by forestry professionals, and they've been snapped up. What could be a better outcome?”
Click here to watch the full video. If you are interested in future courses, as a student or employer, please email nicole.varwell.ic@uhi.ac.uk