The fund, formerly known as the Forestry Training Fund also caters to those already immersed in the industry.
In September 2023, it was given an additional 拢1m funding from the UK Government to help boost tree skills training.
Since its launch in February 2023, the fund has now been expanded to include arboriculture courses and 拢250,000 has been ringfenced in relation to the care, management, and safety of amenity trees.
This encompasses skills such as aerial tree pruning, branch removal, and assisted felling.
Applications are now closed
When applications reopen, individuals interested in applying for a training grant to cover the cost of a forestry or arboriculture training course can find more details on the fund鈥檚 dedicated website at: .
On the website you can find a full list of eligible courses, as well as a list of training providers across England.
If your application has been successful, the fund will cover the complete cost of the courses and is accessible throughout England. However, it is essential to note that while the courses are fully funded, participants and providers will need to cover additional expenses such as travel.
Preference will be give to applicants who:
- have not received grant funding through this programme, or
- have been funded for fewer than three courses since February 2023.
Courses covered by the fund
The fund fully covers the costs for eligible training courses. The list of eligible courses encompass various aspects of tree and woodland management, including the following.
- Chainsaw operation: Equipping professionals with the skills needed for safe and efficient chainsaw operation.
- Operating heavy machinery: Providing training on handling and operating heavy machinery vital for forestry and arboriculture tasks.
- Planning and planting new woodland: Focusing on sustainable woodland management, conservation, and afforestation.
- Deer management: Teaching the techniques and principles of effective deer management in woodland areas.
- Marketing and selling timber: Enhancing knowledge of timber marketing strategies to boost industry profitability.
- Aerial tree pruning: Developing skills for safe and efficient aerial tree pruning.
- Branch removal: Covering techniques for the removal of branches and tree parts.
- Tree surveying: Training professionals on comprehensive tree surveying.
Funding will fortify the forestry workforce
This funding is a response to the high demand for training courses and aims to support both newcomers and seasoned individuals seeking to further their expertise in forestry.
Forestry Minister Trudy Harrison said that she is 鈥渃ommitted鈥� to growing the sector. 鈥淎s tree planting and woodlands across the country increase, so must our forestry workforce.鈥�
Richard Stanford, Forestry Commission chief executive, said: 鈥淓ngland鈥檚 forestry sector plays an essential part in creating resilient forests and woodlands which improve our natural environment, helping meet net zero carbon emissions, provide a sustainable source of home-grown timber and boost people鈥檚 health and wellbeing.鈥�
