The forestry sector is leading the way in helping employers secure public funding to recruit more young people into the industry.
Under a new Growing Rural Talent initiative, forestry companies are being encouraged to take on new young staff through generous subsidies.
The initiative and other support for prospective employers were highlighted in the recent Forestry Jobs Summit, organised by the Industry Leadership Group and attended by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing and key forestry organisations.
Already, forestry companies Tilhill, Egger and James Jones & Sons are providing new young recruits an exciting first step into forestry. During the summit, a further two companies confirmed their plans to offer opportunities for new starts.
Welcoming the drive to recruit more young people into the forest industries, Mr Ewing said: “The forestry sector in Scotland is a success story. It generates around £1 billion to the economy each year and supports around 25,000 jobs. Timber production levels are increasing and in the years to come we will need to have a young skilled workforce in place to meet demand. I am pleased that both Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland have doubled their intake of opportunities for young people."
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Posted On: 05/01/2021