FORESTRY students were given a bird’s-eye view of their woodland workplace during a special demonstration from Tilhill Forestry.

Learners on the inaugural Tilhill Diploma in Forestry and Woodland Management at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi welcomed speakers from the organisation for a drone display and presentations.

Tilhill’s group learning and development manager Tony Lockey said Cambria’s burgeoning position in the agricultural and outdoors arena is what attracted it to North Wales.

He said: “This is the first time Tilhill has linked with a course like this. It was because of Llysfasi’s reputation and quality of training that we have come to Wales to launch a programme designed to create job-ready graduates in this growing sector of industry.

“We are excited and pleased with the first cohort and look forward to working with these young people in their training and studies going forward.”

Among the other speakers on the day were Andy White, lead forestry lecturer at Llysfasi; Tilhill district manager for Wales and the Marches, David Edwards; and Luke Cross, a graduate assistant forest manager based in Bala.

Senior forest manager John Ferguson gave the learners a display of how valuable drones are to forest management and mapping, capturing data and biodiversity.

Head of Llysfasi Iain Clarke said the relationship between Cambria and Tilhill Forestry will continue to go from strength to strength, adding: “As a college we are proud to be working with Tilhill Forestry to train new entrants into this exciting and rewarding career pathway of forestry management.”