Addressing the skills gap in forestry – RFS creates 10 more traineeships
Forestry Roots provides a year's paid placement, training, relocation expenses and mentoring for 18–30-year-olds.
Press Release
The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) is helping to address the forestry skills gap by providing 10 more traineeships under the organisation’s flagship Forestry Roots programme. Since the programme began in 2018, the RFS has provided 48 paid traineeships for young people entering a variety of forestry and arboriculture roles.
Forestry faces a critical skills gap that threatens the UK’s forestry industry and woodland ecosystems. As the British Government pushes towards an ambitious and legally binding target to increase forest cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050, creating routes into the industry for early-career professionals has never been more pertinent.
While there is no shortage of people attracted to a career in forestry, there is a rising demand for skilled and experienced candidates to fill forestry and arboriculture positions. By 2030, as many as 20% of the total workforce are expected to retire according to a 2021 report from the Forestry Skills Forum. Having supported seven cohorts into the sector since its inception, Forestry Roots is at the forefront of this sector-wide push to develop the next generation of foresters.
Forestry Roots matches 18-30-year-olds with employers for their first paid employment in the forestry sector. It is a project made possible by the support of The ALA Green Charitable Trust and RFS members who provide the placements.
It can be challenging to break into the environmental and land-based sectors, but Forestry Roots is helping break down the barriers for early-career foresters and help them make the first steps into a rewarding profession. The programme supports future foresters to achieve their potential through industry-leading training and guidance.
Meet the 2024/25 cohort
At Trees for Cities, a UK charity aiming to create greener cities, Bolaji Lemboye has taken on the role of Urban Forest Trainee. Bolaji cited her love of trees as the primary reason for applying to the programme. “I wanted to work with trees in any capacity,” she said. “But I lacked the experience needed to get the kind of jobs I wanted.” She hopes that she can make a real difference in her future career with the skills she takes away from the programme.
At Leeds Coppice Workers, Ben Throssell has started as a Trainee Coppice Worker, bringing together his passion for conservation and traditional woodworking. “Forests can provide so much to us in terms of ecology, health and wellbeing, cultural heritage, and a sustainable wood supply – and coppicing is one of the best techniques for balancing these many offerings,” Ben said.
Joining Burghley House as a Trainee Forester is Sam Peace, who said he is “incredibly fortunate and grateful” to be in this year’s cohort having struggled to enter the environmental sector due to a lack of professional qualifications.
Hugh Cresswell and Hugo McDermott have both joined Chatsworth House as Trainee Forestry Workers. Hugh decided to make a career change at the age of 29 and spent the next 18 months volunteering alongside his job as a sound engineer and AV technician. Like Sam, he also struggled to get a foothold in the industry without a relevant degree or qualifications.
“Fortunately, I found the RFS’ excellent careers advice service and successfully applied for the Forestry Roots programme,” said Hugh. “Thanks to the very generous funders at The ALA Green Charitable Trust, and the support of the RFS and Chatsworth Forestry Team, I now feel empowered to kickstart my career change!”
His new colleague, Hugo McDermott is at the very beginning of his career having just completed his Level 2 Technical Certificate in Forestry and Arboriculture at Plumpton College. “This scheme gives me a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in Forestry in a very supported environment,” Hugo said.
With a background in horticulture, Sherwood Forest Trust trainee Rachel Rattray hopes the scheme will set her on the path to her dream of becoming a ranger in the New Forest. Rachel commented: “Forestry Roots has been an amazing opportunity to develop my skills and training within the conservation field. I love working with the Sherwood Forest trust on public engagement, working with volunteers at the tree nursery or in the heathland.”
Hill Holt Wood has employed two trainees, Rohan Holmes and Ed Caush. Ed enrolled on the Forestry Roots scheme for the chance to learn through experience rather than academia. “Being at the top of the age bracket for this scheme meant dropping work hours to attend college on a related course wasn’t a realistic option for me,” Ed commented. “This opportunity presents the perfect opportunity to earn and learn in a professional environment.”
Charlotte Moss has joined Englefield Estate as Assistant Forester. Prior to her traineeship, Charlotte had completed several qualifications. Forestry roots has given her the opportunity to put this training into practice in a hands-on role. “I’m excited to get stuck in, work hard, and learn a great deal from the experienced team at Englefield Estate,” Charlotte said. “I’m also incredibly grateful to The ALA Green Charitable Trust for their generous support, which has made this opportunity possible.”
Find out more about Forestry Roots
Employer applications are now open for the eighth edition of Forestry Roots. Employers with RFS membership can apply up until 31 January with grants expected to be in the region of £20,000 per trainee. Apply here.
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