We have people out there talking to you about your concerns, your issues and your ideas. We combine this with our yearly Skills Assessment that looks at what’s missing in the world of skills, both today and tomorrow, so you can be sure we understand your needs. Read more...

Trees and Timber Skills Needs

You can be sure we understand your needs.

 

Risk assessment and hazard identification training

Trees and timber is recognised as one of the most dangerous industries according to reports from the Health and Safety Executive.  Risk assessment and hazard identification is seen as being a basic part of all the work carried out.  Everyone in the trees and timber industry must continue to train and be updated in risk assessment and stay keep up-to-date with codes of practice and duties of care.

New entrants to the industry

It is clear that the trees and timber need new workers at all levels. Today 17% of forestry businesses have a vacancy and 43% of these are hard to fill, mainly dues to skills shortages. This problem is only set to get worse as targets for creating woodland and wood fuel use (which is already supported by the new government) could double demand for trees and timber staff. The industry must attract mature people looking for a change of career as well as young people on apprenticeship schemes.

Specialist training programmes for utility arboriculture

You told us that most of the training courses currently available do not fully cover all of the technical skills needed to work safely within utility arboriculture.   To solve this we have been working with the Utility Arboriculture Group and awarding bodies to develop new qualifications for this important part of the industry.

Understanding the effects of bio-security and climate change

Skills and knowledge needed to deal with the effects of biodiversity and climate change are lacking and there is a serious economic risk to forestry businesses as a result.

To deal with the changing climate affecting the range of tree species being grown for timber you need training in cultivation, management, harvesting and marketing of timbers. 

Also with the increasing threat of new diseases you said that you need knowledge, guidance and support on how to deal with these issues.

Accessible training

With 93% of businesses employing less than 10 staff, and 87% employing 4 staff or fewer, it is difficult to release staff for long periods of time for training.  You also told us that technical staff looking to progress needed to find flexible training to improve there skills and this training should lead to a recognised qualification.

Read more on the new bite-sized, flexible qualifications framework.

Clear guidance on sources and access to funding

Funding is an issue for all those seeking to access training and you it can prove difficult to find out what funding is available and how to access it.   Fund Finder is a tool to make it easier and to point you in the right direction.

To find out more about Fund Finder and all the ways we can help you, click here.