New forestry course to tackle skills shortages “a resounding success”
A new course designed to tackle skills shortages in the forestry industry in Scotland has been declared a “resounding success”.
Scottish Woodlands Ltd was heavily involved in The Forestry Operations New Entrants Programme, targeted at young people or career changers interested in forestry or the wider rural sector.
The intensive five-week course, delivered at the Scottish School of Forestry at UHI Inverness, focused on practical woodland creation skills - tree planting, tree identification, driving all-terrain vehicles, using equipment and pesticides safely, and emergency first aid.
The programme was funded by Par Equity and Aviva Investors, who are involved in natural capital investment in Scotland - both woodland creation and peatland restoration.
Scottish Woodlands Ltd advised on the curriculum and provided equipment for the students.
Isla Campbell, Forest Manager at Scottish Woodlands said: “We worked together to create a programme that offered relevant training, support, and funding, so the students feel armed and ready to come into the world of work.”
Isla Campbell
Tom Croy, Investment Director at Par Equity, said: “There's a real challenge in terms of forestry skills, with lots of older people leaving the industry."
“So Aviva Investors and Par Equity worked with Scottish Woodlands to create a short training programme to address skills shortages - and give students practical skills and certificates they needed to go out and work with contractors."
“It's been a resounding success; student feedback has been fantastic. We're excited about engagement from employers and hope we'll run the programme again.”
Melanie Collett: Managing Director, Real Assets, for Aviva Investors, said: “Through our investments in woodland creation and peatland restoration projects, and by partnering with initiatives like this, Aviva Investors hopes to help address forestry industry skills shortages. It’s great to see the first cohort of students so enthusiastic about what they're learning. They can be a real asset to the industry.”
Neil Cleland, deputy head of curriculum at the Scottish School of Forestry - UHI Inverness, said: “We've had a lot of people retiring out of the forestry industry, so we're losing a lot of experience. This programme was about encouraging youngsters and career changes into forestry, to show them how broad and varied the opportunities are."
“I’m elated at how well the students engaged and gelled. They have demonstrated a desire, a passion for forestry, and want to learn more.”
The seven graduates of the first programme were full of praise for the course.
Dougie Mackintosh, from Nairn, spent 25 years in the reserve armed forces and worked in energy performance. He said: “I’m setting up a gardening and landscaping business and the course offered a range of qualifications beneficial to doing that. It's been fantastic.”
Nora Aubry, who lives in Glasgow but is originally from France, was working in a desk-based job for a training company before the course. She said: “This opportunity is incredible. We learned so much, and got hands-on experience in a very supportive and supervised environment. I’d encourage anyone to sign up.”
Nora Aubry
Robbie Fletcher, who was working in construction, said: “The course has been wonderful - it’s opened up more career choices, and given me qualifications to kick start an ambition.”
Robbie Fletcher
Madison Davis, from Pitlochry, has worked with horses, and done some forestry work with SM Forestry Ltd. She said: “I couldn’t really find what I was looking for and liked the thought of constantly being outside, so I came and gave it a try, and it's been really good.”
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To find out more about future courses like this, email info@parequity.com