Our Oban careers day invites women to consider working in forestry
We're hosting a careers day in Oban that aims to encourage women of all ages to take a closer look at forestry as a career option.
The event – to be held on 17 September at Corran Hall (from 10.30am to 3pm) – will highlight the wide variety of roles across a diverse and vitally important sector for Scotland’s economy.
As well as our staff – including Director of Land Management Jo Ellis - the event will include representatives from the Argyll Coast and Countryside Trust, RSPB Scotland, Equate Scotland, Forest Research and Scottish Forestry, as well as private sector companies including Scottish Woodlands, Tilhill, John Deere, and RTS Forestry.
Rainforest Delivery Forester Hazel Walker, who has organised the event, said:
“We have run several of these events now and are steadily getting the message out to women across the country that a forestry career probably has a lot more to offer than they thought.
“Of course, there are roles involving operating large harvesting machinery to get timber to market and we’ll even have a John Deere simulator at the event so the people can try their hand.
“But there are roles that focus on communities and visitors, or roles that focus on conservation and wildlife. There are career paths in disciplines like forestry and civil engineering, as well as others in support professions such as HR, finance, procurement and digital services.
“Forestry is more important now than it has ever been and the sector crying out for new people to join the workforce, the range of opportunities is surprisingly broad. I’d encourage women who are curious to just drop in, have a look around and speak to a few people. I think anyone coming along will be surprised at what they find out.”
The event is open to women of all ages from imminent school leavers to anyone thinking of an early, mid or late-career change.
We have a strong record of welcoming women into our workforce with opportunities to work outdoors – often in the rural areas they come from – and on-the-job training and learning.
Renewables and Infrastructure Manager Freya Williamson said:
I have really enjoyed my time with Forestry and Land Scotland and from a starting point of never having done any forestry work, have gained experience doing a number of roles.
“I started out back in Forestry Commission days as a worksite supervisor in a different part of the country, and have taken on different roles, including work programming and plant health as well as operational forestry. I am now working in the team that is at the heart of FLS’ contribution to developing Scotland’s renewable energy potential.
“From day one, there have been opportunities for learning and development that I’ve been able to take advantage of.”
Senior HR Manager (Talent and Resourcing) Simone Forbes said:
"Forestry encompasses far more than people generally expect, and I’d encourage anyone interested to come along and see the breadth of opportunities for themselves.”