New partnership launched to help meet skills gap in forestry

A LEADING agriculture college has joined forces with the UK’s largest forestry and timber harvesting company to meet a growing demand for woodland workers.

Coleg Cambria Llysfasi and Tilhill Forestry unveiled their new partnership - the first of its type - at the APF 2018 show held at Ragley Estate in Warwickshire today (Thursday).

The aim of the Tilhill Diploma in Forestry and Woodland Management is to bring the forest industry an increase to its next generation of managers and operators by way of offering a unique blend of education, industrial experience and bespoke training underpinned by the National Apprenticeship Scheme.

Llysfasi Head Iain Clarke said there is a skills gap in the forestry industry and a crucial need to develop a highly-skilled workforce to take the industry forward.

"With the continued introduction of new technologies to the already sophisticated and highly integrated timber production and supply chain, future managers need to have a broader range of skills than ever before," said Mr Clarke.

He went on to say: "Whether it is forest operations, technical support or management, companies frequently have difficulties in recruiting staff with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience needed to manage and maintain the forests of the future.

"Unfortunately, not enough young people are choosing to train and work in forestry and the supply of new entrants has diminished leading to challenges when replacing retiring staff and to expand and push the industry forward."
Lecturer Andy White, who will lead the programme, said forestry in the UK is a growing business and the union of these two pioneering organisations could not have come at a better time.

"This exciting partnership between Tilhill Forestry and Llysfasi aims to provide a direct career path into forest management in a way never offered before," said Mr White.

"Training begins with technical knowledge and skills development at Level 3 and proceeds to management skills at Level 5, with opportunities to enter the work place at the end of each stage."

Mr White added that learners will benefit from the technical input, support, mentoring, and vast amount of knowledge and experience of Tilhill Forestry staff, as well as tailored work placements, while studying at Llysfasi.

"With the backing of Tilhill Forestry we will be able to deliver the very best of modern forestry training and education. We are all extremely excited to be part of this new partnership and are encouraged by the interest and support already received," he said.

Managing Director of Tilhill Forestry George McRobbie added: “We have been looking for a partner to drive this development for the industry for some time.
“In the past our new entrants have tended to be forestry graduates. By teaching people from an earlier age they can enter the sector sooner and, we hope, stay longer. It’s a win win.

“Our parent company BSW has invested heavily in apprenticeships at our mills and it makes sense to widen the opportunities to work for Tilhill through apprenticeships too. We will also be helping further by sponsoring some students through bursaries.”

The APF 2018 exhibition attracts more than 22,000 visitors to Alecester, Warwickshire, over two days every year for the UK's largest forestry, woodland, arboriculture, fencing and biomass show.

For more information, visit www.cambria.ac.uk. Visit www.tilhill.com for more on Tilhill Forestry.

ENDS

For more information contact Suzi Christie on 07590591140 or e-mail suzi@blueberry-pr.co.uk

Tilhill Forestry Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the BSW Timber Group, was established 70 years ago. It is a national company operating from a network of offices throughout the UK. The company provides a full range of consultancy and contracting services to the forest owner and forestry investor. Further information is available at www.tilhill.com

BSW is the most technologically advanced sawmill company in the UK employing over 1,300 people. The Company’s roots date back to 1848, and with seven sawmills in the UK and one in Latvia, has a production capacity of more than 1.2 million m3 of sawn timber which is distributed throughout construction, fencing and landscape markets www.bsw.co.uk Together, BSW and Tilhill Forestry form a strong partnership in the forest industry that will deliver quality from beginning to end - from creating new forests through to producing timber end products.

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This release was published on openPR.