Applications now open for Forestry Roots traineeship programme
“Forestry Roots is about believing in people” - Becky Wilkinson, Learning & Outreach Manager.
Forestry Roots provides a year’s paid placement, training, relocation expenses and mentoring for 18-30 year olds
The programme has supported dozens of young foresters into the sector over the last eight years and is helping to address the skills shortage in forestry
The Royal Forestry Society’s successful traineeship programme, Forestry Roots, is now accepting applications as it enters its eighth year. The industry-recognised programme tackles the widening skills gap in UK forestry while offering future foresters a pathway into the sector.
Funded by The ALA Green Charitable Trust, Forestry Roots is open to 18-30 year olds that are looking to kickstart a fulfilling career. The programme seeks to provide opportunities for those who’ve faced barriers to gaining employment. Each trainee will receive 20 days of hands-on training worth up to £2,000, professional development and workplace experience that culminates in a Level 2 Forestry qualification.
Placements in the 2025/26 programme are offered by some of England’s leading estates and woodlands, including Harewood House in West Yorkshire, The Hillyfield in Devon, Hill Holt Wood on the Lincolnshire-Nottinghamshire border and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.
Applications are opening at a time when young people are finding it increasingly difficult to secure employment. Statistics released last month by the ONS show youth unemployment has jumped from 12.8% to 14.6% in the past year alone. In light of this worrying trend, Becky Wilkinson, Learning & Outreach Manager for the RFS, says schemes like Forestry Roots are “more vital than ever”.
“Youth unemployment rates are rising, showing that young people are struggling to get employment, particularly if they are from an economically disadvantaged background,” said Becky Wilkinson. “Many young people are keen to enter the forestry sector and follow a wide variety of fulfilling careers. Forestry Roots is about believing in people who aren’t in our sector yet but will be valuable assets with the right training and support.”
Successful candidates can expect to assist with tasks such as tree thinning, tree guard maintenance, pruning, planting and re-stocking. They may be involved in invasive species removal, maintaining infrastructure, pest control and natural flood management, or contribute to surveys or data recording.
What sets Forestry Roots placements apart from other entry-level roles is its personalised approach. Trainees will receive regular mentoring and coaching from the Royal Forestry Society’s Careers Adviser, who will support them through the traineeship and help with their future career progression.
Alison Dinnie, Careers Advisor for the RFS, said: “Forestry Roots is so impactful because each trainee is treated as an individual. We understand that different people have different needs; it isn’t a one size fits all program. The personalised mentoring helps to tailor the traineeship even further. We discuss future goals, training needs and work out the best steps to help them achieve what will be of most value to them.
“What we have realised is that quite often it is not the job they need to support with, it is figuring out how to balance their work and their life or coping with the challenges balancing full time employment with college studies, or other challenges that life decides to throw at them. By having a dedicated person that they can turn to for support, advice and mentoring really can make the difference between them giving up or being successful and finding employment in forestry or arboriculture after the traineeship.”
Since launching in 2018, Forestry Roots has kickstarted the careers of nearly 50 young foresters across England and Wales. Past trainees have secured varied roles within the forestry sector, for example, working as woodland officers, estate foresters, forestry communications specialists, forestry consultants or arborists. Some have even carved out their own path as business owners. Harriet Jenkins, who completed the 2023/24 programme, now works as a freelance contractor across woodlands in North Wales.
Traineeships in the 2025/26 Forestry Roots programme are offered by:
Harewood House
Harewood House in West Yorkshire has over 800 acres of woodland, including around 150 acres of Ancient Woodland sites containing hundreds of ancient and veteran trees. The Forestry Department is made up of a small, skilled team who undertake a wide variety of works across the Estate. The successful trainee will assist the team in delivering their 10-year woodland management plan. Apply here.
The Hillyfield
The Hillyfield is a 46-acre ancient woodland in Dartmoor National Park managed for environmental and community benefit. This multi-faceted role combines practical timber processing with woodland management tasks. It is an ideal position for those interested in sustainable management of woodland and the value-added use of timber. Apply here.
Hill Holt Wood
Located on the Lincolnshire-Nottinghamshire border, Hill Holt Wood is a 34-acre sustainably managed woodland and social enterprise. The successful candidate will report to the Head Forester, assisting the team in all aspects of the operation, from chainsaw felling and coppicing, to ride management and sawmill operation. Apply here.
Chatsworth House
One of the country’s most beloved historic estates, Chatsworth House in Derbyshire is home to 3,800 acres of woodland set within the dramatic landscape of the Peak District. The trainee will work with a skilled team of foresters and arborists, gaining experience in forestry maintenance operations, chainsaw operations, tractor driving, processing firewood and more. Apply here.
Forestry Roots is made possible thanks to the generous support of The ALA Green Charitable Trust and the RFS members who offer the placements. Placements begin between August and September 2025 and last for one year.
Find out more and apply: rfs.org.uk/jobs
Applications for all Forestry Roots posts close on 30 May.
