University of Cumbria branches out with the Welsh Government to support the upskilling of forestry professionals
The University of Cumbria in partnership with the Welsh Government, are offering current employees working in forestry and from businesses based in Wales the opportunity to become professionally recognised with an industry standard qualification starting with the completion of a fully funded one day workshop in March to be held in Llandrindod Wells.
Forestry Works Manager (FWM) is a safety-critical role that currently has no formally recognised set of competencies that can be assessed and demonstrated with a qualification. People working as FWMs operate across a range of different situations and sites but have a set of critical knowledge, skills and behaviours in common.
Informed by the Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) Forest Works Manager professional group, the Experienced Forestry Worker Route initiative is in response to employers concerns, as well as the government’s plan to make training better match Wales’ economic needs, which focuses on developing green skills and higher-level skills at Levels 4 and 5 to strengthen vocational education, boost apprenticeships, and help create a "skills-first" economy.
Current employees who are experienced in forestry but don’t have a professionally recognised qualification will be guided during the session to assess their current skill and experience level against the standards for the Open Awards Level 4 Experienced Worker Assessment for Forest Works Managers qualification. With the support of the university’s academic experts, they will also learn how to develop their portfolio of evidence that can be presented for formal assessment.
Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies from the Welsh Government said:
"We are committed to strengthening the skills and safety of Wales’ forestry workforce. This initiative provides experienced practitioners with a clear route to recognition, supporting consistency, professionalism, and confidence across the sector. By investing in people, we are helping ensure that forestry in Wales continues to grow as a resilient, high quality and sustainable industry.”
Claire Aindow, the University of Cumbria’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Growth and Development said: “This is a great example of how we work with employers and partners, offering tailored solutions via flexible delivery to support skills and workforce development plans. Our National School of Forestry has a strong reputation for producing award-winning professionals who now occupy some of the most senior roles in the forestry and woodland sector.”
This one-day workshop gives forestry workers a pathway to the Direct Award that is widely recognised across the UK forestry industry and its employers. This enables them to perform their role with confidence and progress to further training, including a Professional Forester degree apprenticeship. Completion of the Forest Works Manager also qualifies attendees for Technical Membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), providing a clear pathway for ongoing career development.