Finance to assist training and assessment is to be made available to forestry contractors and businesses across the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the Forestry Contracting Association (FCA) has confirmed.
The money is to be provided through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)/ European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), which will contribute up to 50% of course costs.
The two-year scheme will be operated in conjunction with Highlands Islands Enterprise and the Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme.
The initiative comes at a time when the forestry workforce is faced with a number of requirements, including Forest Machine Operator Certification. The association says the money will lessen the financial burden of this test and forthcoming training needs.
Individuals wishing to take part in the scheme must enrol with the Inverurie-based FCA.
