TILHILL has seen a record number of entries into its yearly graduate programme, it has been announced.

The scheme enables graduates to join the forestry team at one of their offices across the country as an assistant forest manager. They then build up their knowledge through being trained, mentored and encouraged by the experienced professionals around them.

The company has worked with organisations within the forestry industry to promote forestry as a career within schools, attracting a diverse range of new entrants to the industry and helping to halt a decline in the number of forestry degrees and forestry training in colleges, according to the Royal Forestry Society’s skills forum members.

RFS chief executive Simon Lloyd said: “It is very encouraging to know that companies like Tilhill are recruiting, training and developing so many more young foresters.

“Forestry now has a higher profile as a result of climate change and more young people are seeing it as an attractive and worthwhile career choice. Enrolment in degree-level forestry-related courses has grown. We expect this trend to continue and hopefully accelerate.”

Rob Baker, Tilhill assistant forest manager North Highland, joined Tilhill as a graduate last year. He said: “We need to keep selling the good news stories that forestry professionals deliver on a daily basis. The more positive visibility the forest industry gains the better.

“The only way to educate the public is for the industry to be more open and engaged. If we can highlight the great work that takes place then the stack of applications will only continue to rise.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up on the doorstep of a woodland and had the opportunity to enjoy them as soon as I could walk. It is no accident that this early exposure led me down the career path that I have chosen – with this in mind I think there is definitely scope for early-years education to increase the uptake in careers in the forestry sector.”

Forestry Journal remains dedicated to bringing you all the latest news and views from across our industry, plus up-to-date information on the impacts of COVID-19.

Please support us by subscribing to our print edition, delivered direct to your door, from as little at £69 for 1 year - or consider a digital subscription from just £1 for 3 months.

To arrange, follow this link: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/subscribe/

Thanks – and stay safe.