Four young college and university leavers are starting their first paid jobs in forestry this month thanks to Forestry Roots – a unique partnership launched this year between the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) and the ALA Green Charitable Trust.
Anthony Green of the ALA Green Charitable Trust says: “We know that the environment is crucial to our future and by working with the RFS we are supporting future foresters to achieve their potential through training and guidance. We are removing barriers to first steps into a career of great value in the woodland and forestry environment where the opportunities are many and varied.”
The project brings college and university leavers together with employers to begin their careers, helping to address acknowledged skills gaps within forestry and woodland management and giving young people access to real jobs at market rate wages. All employers are RFS members, committed to high quality training and career development.
Successful applicants are awarded a one-year paid job which may lead to permanent employment. During their Forestry Roots year, the young foresters also receive 10 days Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training to qualify for the RFS Certification in Forestry. RFS Future Foresters Officer Adam Todd says: “We want young people to Think Trees when they are deciding their careers. There are many exciting opportunities for young people to jump into, from establishment of new woods and conservation, to research, timber harvesting and everything in between.
“The RFS values its relationship with the colleges and universities where these students have studied and looks forward to welcoming the next cohort of applicants in 2019. We would especially like to thank the ALA Green Charitable Trust for making this project possible and to RFS members for embracing the project by offering career developing roles to young people.”
This years’ successful applicants were:
- Willow Arran (who has completed a BTEC National Diploma Countryside Management, Merrist Wood College) taking up a post as Trainee Site Supervisor – Establishment with JAH Forestry in Cumbria
- Samuel Ozaktanlar (Level 3 Forestry and Arboriculture at Hadlow College), Woodland Conservation Operative, Heart of England Forest on the Warwickshire/Worcestershire borders
- Katie Stevens (BSc Forest Management at the National School of Forestry in Cumbria), Assistant Forest Manager, Nicholsons Garden Design, Landscaping and Forestry, in Oxfordshire
- Dominic Young (City & Guilds level 3 Diploma in Arboriculture, Myerscough College) ,Estate Under Forester, Babworth Estate, Nottinghamshire
Four more young people will be recruited in 2019 and 2020 – three from colleges and one from universities for four more paid posts. For more information go to http://rfs.org.uk/about/job-vacancies/
