Forestry apprenticeships helping meet demand - Scottish Apprenticeship Week - March 3-7

To help mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, has welcomed Forestry and Land Scotland’s efforts to highlight the importance of apprenticeships in helping to fill some of the roles vital to forestry.

FLS has 28 apprentices across Scotland that work in a variety of roles, such as in mechanical and engineering services, civil engineering, and as wildlife rangers or crafts persons.

In addition to apprenticeships, FLS regularly attends job fairs, engages with STEM programmes and regularly visits schools & colleges.

Welcoming the successful approach to encouraging more people into forestry, Ms Gougeon, said;

“As a mainstay in Scotland’s response to the climate and biodiversity emergency, forestry as a career choice has never been more attractive option for young people and those who are looking to change career and do more fulfilling work.

“Forestry requires the input of a wide range of disciplines, the on-the-ground forestry jobs as well as a huge number of behind the scenes roles.

“It is a hugely important sector and across the board, forestry businesses are crying out for more people.

“Apprenticeships are just one of the routes in to a rewarding career with FLS and I would encourage anyone with an interest to find out more.”

This year the organisation has also engaged with the Scottish School of Forestry on the new work-based degree options that offers four students, on completion of their Higher National Certificate, a three-year contract to work in a trainee forester role to complete their Degree.

This replaces the one year mid-year student forester placements we have offered for many years.

Graeme Prest, Director of Land Management and Regions, added;

“Our apprentices really enjoy the work they do and the opportunities that working with us opens up for them.

“This year we will be attending more job fairs, school and college events than we have before to help encourage more people – from school leavers to career changers – to consider forestry as a career option.”

Anyone looking to find out more about FLS forestry career options, training and jobs, can get more information online.

Four FLS apprentices are in contention for this year’s Lantra Scotland Awards for Land Based and Aquaculture skills: Wildlife Ranger, Fenna Whittaker (Glasgow); Wildlife Ranger Apprentice, Murray Henderson (Newton Stewart); Apprentice Craftsperson, Kirsty Gibson (Lochgilphead); and Apprentice Crafts Person, Stewart Smith (Cromarty).

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ADDITIONAL:

Cameron Russell-  (Modern Apprentice Crafts Person (Oban)

“After time as an officer in the army and as an accountant I realised I wanted a job that made me happy so shortlisted the things I was looking for and forestry hit all the marks. 

“Driving out to work and looking at the scenery of the west coast reminds me every day that It’s one of the better decisions I’ve made. My mental health has improved tremendously, I’m training harder and I’m excited to learn again.

“It’s definitely the long term plan to work towards becoming a forester - hopefully still based in Oban.”

Hannah Thomson - (Modern Apprentice Crafts Person (Oban)

“I have always wanted a career working with trees and after my college curse was defunded, found FLS had an apprenticeship course that fit the bill.

“The support, encouragement and camaraderie have been there from day one. The learning and opportunities, that I don’t think I’d have got elsewhere, are a great foundation for my career in Forestry.

“It’s been an amazing year but visiting the flow country has been the highlight of my apprenticeship. It was amazing to see visible evidence of the great work that colleagues have been doing. This and FLS’ other restoration work, such as with temperate rainforest and Scots pinewood expansion, has inspired me to pursue a forestry career with FLS that focuses on the ecology and environment side of things.”

Daniel Sloss Wildlife - Ranger Modern Apprentice (Oban)

“My family has had a long connection with forestry and it was always the job I wanted.

“My apprenticeship has been a really positive experience that’s given me the chance to work in different areas.

“I enjoy the day to day deer management tasks and how vital it is to the success of other teams in  relation to the forestry cycle. I’m looking to secure a full time position on completion of my apprenticeship and continue my career development.”

Harris McGreish - Graduate Apprentice Civil Engineering (Aberfoyle)

“I and was immediately drawn to it. I wanted to do a degree in civil engineering but did not want to go to University fulltime so finding this vacancy on apprentice.scot website was ideal.

“The job has been amazing, there’s a great atmosphere in the working environment and a great level of support. I’m looking to complete my graduate apprenticeship and secure a full time position with FLS.”

Notes to Editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
2. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | twitter.com/ForestryLS
3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot