Trees have a crucial role to play in meeting UK and global net zero targets but a skills crisis is impeding the industry’s ability to deliver the modern sustainable forestry needed for these goals.
From planting targets and climate change mitigation to the biodiversity crisis and the rising demand for timber, this is a sector under pressure to perform but it is chronically under-resourced. While much is made, quite rightly, of the importance of trees, woodlands and forestry in meeting UK environmental goals, it is impossible without more support, education and training. Industry research estimates the workforce needs to grow by 86% in England and 63% in Wales by 2030 and by up to 72% in Scotland by 2027. This vastly outweighs both the current reality and the future trajectory of new entrants.
Trees are a precious resource, critical in helping tackle the climate and ecological emergency through decarbonisation and carbon sequestration, providing a climate positive raw material with a multitude of uses, not least from construction timber. Wood offers an obvious solution, at least in part, to decarbonising the construction industry, responsible for 37% of global carbon emissions.
Global demand for timber and wood-based products is rising fast but home-grown wood amounts to just 20% of the total UK consumption, making the UK the second biggest importer of timber in the world. Increasing sustainable production at home is essential for the economy.
However, at 13% (3.2 million hectares), the UK has some of the lowest woodland cover in Europe and tree planting figures fall far short of government ambitions to plant 30,000ha of trees every year by 2025. A drastic increase in planting is needed – and fast.
We urgently need to expand, upskill and diversify our workforce and that needs to start in the classroom so young people recognise it as an exciting career.
Challenges in education provision such as the closure of Newton Rigg College in 2021 have been compounded by other colleges’ courses being cut due to a lack of resources. This must change. Further and higher education providers are unable to provide the necessary training under current resourcing models. We are simply not educating or developing enough people to deliver what is required. Lack of awareness of forestry as a green career and poor accessibility of courses are major barriers to recruitment.
However, there is light in the darkness. The first ever degree level forestry apprenticeship scheme was launched in September by a partnership between the ICF, the Forestry Commission (FC) and Cumbria University. Known as the Development Woodland Officer Programme, the initiative aims to grow, upskill, and diversify the forestry sector workforce. Development woodland officers will benefit from academic studies in forestry management at the University of Cumbria, practical experience in FC area teams across England, and nine months of wider sector placements to further build their skills and experience, enhancing future employment prospects. Upon completion of the programme, successful graduates will earn a Professional Forester Apprenticeship, a BSc (Hons) in Forest Management and the potential to gain Chartered Forester status with the Institute of Chartered Foresters.
This is a pivotal moment for forestry. It is our collective responsibility to ensure a future forestry workforce able to help deliver thriving working forests for net zero, nature recovery, people and the green economy.
