A brand new three-year apprenticeship programme for the forestry sector has been introduced immediately (Monday, February 7) by the Forestry Fee (FC).

The Improvement Woodland Officer Programme, led by the FC, the College of Cumbria and the Institute of Chartered Foresters, would be the first degree-level forestry apprenticeship to be supplied within the UK.

Upon completion of the programme, profitable graduates will earn a Skilled Forester Apprenticeship (equal to Degree 6), a Skilled Forester BSc (Hons) and the potential to achieve Chartered Forester standing with the Institute of Chartered Foresters. 

Programme contributors will undertake tutorial research in forestry administration on the College of Cumbria, sensible expertise in Forestry Fee space groups throughout England, and 9 months of wider sector placements to additional construct their expertise and expertise, enhancing future employment prospects.

The overarching goal of this new programme is to upskill and foster a extremely expert workforce inside the forestry sector and has been launched immediately to coincide with Nationwide Apprenticeship Week, which this 12 months has the theme ‘Constructing the Future‘.

“This new programme provides a brand new and thrilling profession pathway into the forestry sector for individuals from all backgrounds and talents,” mentioned FC chief government Richard Stanford.

“It provides the distinctive alternative to achieve hands-on expertise, a BSc (Hons) and the potential to achieve Chartered Forester standing with the Institute of Chartered Foresters. The Forestry Fee apprentices will probably be paid and can achieve all these {qualifications}, with zero tuition charges and no want for a scholar mortgage.

“We’re in search of bold, pushed people who’re wanting to help our bold tree planting plans and guarantee our valuable woods and forests proceed to flourish for generations to come back.” 

As much as 45 Improvement Woodland Officer positions will probably be created over the following three years with the primary cohort of 15 beginning in September this 12 months (2022). Recruitment for the Improvement Woodland Officer Programme will open in spring 2022.