The government has allocated an additional £1m in funding for forestry and arboriculture training courses, between now and April 2025.
The funding aims to increase the sector’s workforce through the creation of more green jobs to meet recent demand growth, following the government’s £675m tree programme.
Funding will cover areas of arboriculture and forestry, such as chainsaw operation, planning and planting new woodland, and the marketing and selling of timber, with a primary focus on entry level individuals following a career change, as well as those already working in the sector.
“England’s forestry sector plays an essential part in creating resilient forests and woodlands which improve our natural environment, helping meet net zero carbon emissions, provide a sustainable source of home-grown timber and boost people’s health and wellbeing,” says forestry commission chief executive, Richard Stanford.
Over £200k of the fund has been allocated for courses which cover the care, management and safety of amenity trees, through skills such as aerial tree pruning, assisted felling and branch removal.
“The additional funding provided through the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund, will ensure that more people across the country, from all backgrounds, are able to build and diversify their skills in forestry.”
The Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund, formerly known as the Forestry Training Fund has received a significant uptake since its launch in February, with over 150 short course training providers already registered, and 1,100 training places funded for the next two years.
Early application is encouraged.
