Careers in forestry: join a growing sector

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The UK government has legally binding environmental targets to increase tree cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050. We need boots on the ground to plant these trees and manage our woodlands. There are currently around 19,000 people employed in core forestry roles in the UK, with many more in supporting roles. We need to bring an estimated 600 people a year into the sector to support these ambitions.

We also need people to shape research and policy, to ensure our future forests are resilient and can adapt to a changing climate. And we need people to engage with the public and encourage recognition of the bigger benefits trees provide for nature, climate, people and the economy.

The Forestry Sector Skills Plan 2025 – 2035 addresses the actions needed to create a forestry workforce to meet future demand. Efforts include schemes run by the Forestry Commission to support apprentices into the sector, and remove barriers for small businesses to take on apprentices.

Range of careers

Forestry offers a wide range of roles in areas such as forest management and timber production, environmental science, research, policy, data analytics, green finance, and new technologies like AI and robotics, through to conservation, marketing, and advice for land and woodland owners.

Ecologists ensure sustainable practices that benefit biodiversity. Landscape architects shape how woodlands fit in the landscape and design green infrastructure for towns and cities. Economists support optimal decision making. Scientists advance our understanding to grow resilient forests for an unknown future. Communications professionals share success stories to inspire change.

There are also multiple roles that tap into the recreation and wellbeing opportunities that forests provide, including rangers, visitor experience managers, education officers and more.

Meet people working in the sector

Abi works for Forestry England and has had roles including surveying, forest craftsperson and recreation support. Working in recreation has introduced her to the exciting world of mountain biking, where she learnt alongside experienced colleagues. Her role now includes inspecting cycle trails on her mountain bike and dealing with issues such as waymarking, vegetation management and trail flow.

Gareth Biggins graduated from the Professional Forester Apprenticeship and is now Forest Officer at the Forest of Marston Vale community forest. His work involves planning and delivering a range of woodland creation and forest restoration projects, while supporting trainee foresters with their development.

Dr Katy Reed is an entomologist with Forest Research. She majored in fine art, before deciding to study conservation and forest protection, and completing a PhD. Her role includes lab work conducting experiments, analysing and visualising data, and looking for patterns to understand tree pests.

Career changers

Forestry requires such a wide range of skills that there are huge opportunities for career changers. It is worth looking at interdisciplinary overlap such as management skills, engineering, geography and biology, as these can all be applied to working in the forestry sector. Military leavers have valuable skills that have taken years to master, like thinking on your feet, leadership and forward planning, and can be applied to forestry.

The Professional Forester Apprenticeship lists an ex-postal worker, NHS employee, and art student among its cohorts, alongside school leavers and graduates!

Embrace lifelong learning

Part of a career in forestry is embracing lifelong learning. Forestry is a dynamic sector that is continuously responding to new science and innovation. Foresters are always developing their own skillsets, and there are a wide range of training courses and programmes available, both in person and online. The Silvestor platform operates as a learning hub for all things forestry, and mentoring programmes bring together experienced professionals with early career foresters.

Development Woodland Officers

The Forestry Commission recruits Development Woodland Officers into the innovative Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme, which is run in partnership with the University of Cumbria.

The three-year, paid development opportunity is open to school leavers, graduates or anyone looking for a change in career direction and a rewarding job in the natural environment.

Applications for this year’s cohort are open from 2 February to 1 March. Search for opportunities on Civil Service Jobs: www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/

Supporting employers

On the other side of the fence, the Forestry Commission is supporting small businesses to train the next generation of foresters. A pilot project involves working with a flexi-job agency to make it easier for small and seasonal forestry businesses to take on Level 3 Forest Craftsperson apprentices.

The agency manages the administration, facilitates apprentice sharing across businesses, and provides financial support for training. Find out more: Forestry Apprenticeships - Supplytrain CIC

What next?

Whether you're a school leaver wondering what comes next, a graduate looking for purpose, or someone mid-career ready for a change, there's likely to be a role that fits you in forestry.

If you want to work with trees and make a significant contribution to the environment, climate change action and access to nature, visit our careers pages: Find a career in forestry: resources and guidance - GOV.UK

Find all the articles in the CJS Focus on...Apprenticeships Series here

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