New programme opens to support Forestry Works Managers achieve recognised qualifications
A new programme has launched to support forestry professionals across England to achieve a recognised qualification through an innovative experienced worker route. A trial of the programme, funded by the Forestry Commission and supported by the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA), will enable a group of experienced individuals to […]
Host a young professional forester in Summer 2027
Are you interested in hosting a placement on our 2027 Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme? We are looking for two organisations who would be willing to host a young professional forester from either Australia, Canada or New Zealand for three months in Summer 2027. This is an opportunity for you to create career-enhancing development experiences […]
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 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. Currently forestry work is a safety critical role […]
First cohort of Professional Forester Degree Apprenticeship graduate
The University of Cumbria is proud to celebrate the graduation of the first cohort from its Professional Forester Degree Apprenticeship, delivered through the National School of Forestry (NSF) in Ambleside, the largest provider of undergraduate forestry and woodland courses in England. This pioneering programme combines academic study at the university’s Ambleside campus and Forestry England’s […]
Virtual work experience programme launched to attract the next generation of foresters
The Institute of Chartered Foresters and Forestry Commission are delighted to announce the launch of the Sustainable Careers in Forestry: Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) programme. This new virtual forestry work experience programme is now available on the immersive online careers platform, Springpod. Free for students to sign up, Springpod helps young people explore career opportunities […]
Hundreds of funded places on UKFS e-learning programme
The forestry bodies for England, Scotland and Wales have funded places for hundreds of their staff on a first-of-its-kind e-learning programme designed to make the 5th edition of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) more accessible and interactive. The Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry and Natural Resources Wales have funded places for 344 employees, giving them an […]
Gareth Hopkins MICFor to receive MBE for services to forestry
The Institute is delighted that Chartered Forester Gareth Hopkins MICFor has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Forestry Sector in the New Year Honours 2025 list. Gareth was recently promoted to a Professional Member of the Institute in December 2024. As the Forestry Commission’s Apprenticeship […]
Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme: Meet the 2025 candidates
We are thrilled to introduce the talented individuals selected for the Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme (2024-2025)! This exciting initiative, administered by the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC), the Institute of Chartered Foresters (United Kingdom), the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, and Forestry Australia, offers a unique opportunity for rising leaders in […]
Funded programme launched for new entrants in the forestry sector
A new training initiative led by a partnership involving Par Equity, Aviva Investors, Scottish Woodlands and UHI Inverness provides an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to start their careers in forestry. Key highlights of the training programme include: Five-week-long comprehensive training modules covering essential forestry skills and knowledge Funding for accommodation and a stipend for […]
Support for new e-learning programme grows as the new UKFS comes into force
A new e-learning programme designed to provide an alternative way of accessing the latest version of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) which came into effect on 1 October, has been backed by the profession’s government-run agencies. Created and developed by the Institute of Chartered Foresters with funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural […]
Applications open for second Emerging Leader Programme
Following on from the huge success of the first widely-acclaimed Emerging Leader Programme, the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is delighted to open applications for the second round of this exciting leadership series that aims to develop the skills of both existing and aspiring leaders in our sector. Developed in partnership with Clore Social Leadership, […]
Trees, People and the Built Environment 5 – Post Event Tickets Now On Sale!
Following our fantastic two-day #TPBE5 conference in April this year, we’re delighted to offer post-event access to all conference content for those who couldn’t make it at the time. Accessible through our dedicated online conference platform, Pheedloop, these post-event ticket options offer access to all eight main sessions of the conference […]
Trailblazing apprenticeship programme for the forestry sector re-opens
Applications for the next cohort of the innovative Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme reopened on 2 December as part of National Tree Week. The programme, a partnership from the Forestry Commission, the University of Cumbria and the Institute of Chartered Foresters, offers a three-year, paid development opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds looking to kickstart their […]
Bangor University appoints two more professors in the forest sciences
Two staff members have been awarded professorships in the recent round of promotions at Bangor University. Andy Smith was appointed as Professor of Forest Ecology; his research and teaching focuses on silviculture, ecophysiology, biogeochemistry and tree-soil interactions, with an emphasis on species diversity and ecosystem function in undisturbed and managed forests. Graham Ormondroyd was appointed […]
Call for Treescapes Research Fellows
UK Treescapes Fellowship Scheme 2023 Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Future of UK Treescapes is an interdisciplinary research programme that hopes to inform future policy, management and resilience of UK treescapes, while improve environmental, socio-economic and cultural understanding of the functions and services produced by them. Building on the nine fellows appointed […]
Institute of Chartered Foresters Opens Chartered Environmentalist Registration to Associate members
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is aiming to boost the environmental professional community through the introduction of a brand-new route to Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status. Associate members of the Institute can now pursue Chartered Environmentalist registration without first having to achieve Chartered Arboriculturist or Chartered Forester status. This represents a significant change for the Institute, […]
Institute’s Senior Technical Officer speaks at Healthy Hillsides event
The Healthy Hillsides project is a Welsh Government-funded partnership programme designed to reduce the impact of wildfires across the South Wales Valleys. The project is steered by Natural Resources Wales, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales and demonstrates collaboration with wider partners […]
Emerging Leader Programme: A look back at the first group meeting
With just one week before the second residential of the Emerging Leader Programme takes place, we look back at the first and hear from one of the participants on how they found the experience. Towards the end of March, 35 arboriculture and forestry professionals gathered in Ashorne Hill, Leamington Spa to undertake the first […]
Institute announces accreditation of three sector graduate programmes
Members of the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ Professional & Educational Standards Committee convened on the 18 May 2023 to approve the accreditation of graduate schemes offered by Savills UK, Scottish Woodlands, and Tilhill. Successful completion of the respective graduate schemes now offers individuals two additional Professional Membership Entry (PME) qualifying points, meaning graduates without an […]
Institute’s Executive Director speaks at Westminster Employer Forum
Executive Director of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, Louise Simpson, spoke at the Westminster Employment Forum’s recent keynote seminar – ‘Green skills – next steps for policy, and priorities for education and training, businesses, and the workforce’ on Tuesday 23 May. With the UK Government’s commitment to the creation of two million green jobs by […]
Notice of arboriculture fatality
On behalf of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group, we regret to announce that a member of public was killed when a tree fell onto their car in Buckinghamshire last month. We want to take this opportunity to remind members to ensure your organisation and staff are undertaking regular training […]
Institute interviewed about skills crisis on BBC Radio 4
Our October 2021 position paper to governments across the UK detailed our serious concerns about the skills shortage in our sector, and its knock-on effect on achieving climate targets. This week Defra released their Environment Improvement Plan (EIP), which is the first revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan that was published in 2018. In […]
Professional & Educational Standards Committee vacancies
Two vacancies have arisen for membership of the Professional and Educational Standards Committee (PESC). Reporting to Council, this is the Institute committee that oversees the examinations and membership procedures, promotes professionalism among the members and oversees the CPD process. The Institute’s regulations stipulate that members serve for two years plus an additional two years if […]
Successful Scotland-based ‘Emerging Leader Programme’ Applicants
Ten forestry professionals, living and working in Scotland, have been welcomed onto the Institute of Chartered Forester’s ‘Emerging Leader Programme’ with places funded by Scottish Forestry. Beginning in January 2023, the programme offers a fantastic opportunity for those who work and volunteer with trees to develop the skills necessary to ensure trees, forests and woodlands […]
Call for apprenticeship assessors
Along with other organisations, the Institute has worked hard to develop a number of apprenticeships across the sector. As they are launched and students enrol, the training providers require external experts who are able to carry out assessment of students’ abilities following the End Point Assessment criteria. If you are interested in becoming one of […]
Scottish Forestry to fund up to ten places on ICF Emerging Leader Programme
Following the launch of the Institute of Chartered Forester’s (ICF) Emerging Leader Programme, we’re delighted to announce that Scottish Forestry (SF) has agreed to fund up to ten places on the course for tree professionals living and working in Scotland. The six-month programme is designed to help emerging leaders in the sector build their leadership […]
Institute contributes to new report on forestry skills and education
Finding Forestry: Creating a space that enables growth, communication and connection for the forestry sector in the UK In response to the ongoing skills crisis in the sector, Inverness College (University of the Highlands and Islands) recently published the report, Finding Forestry, as part of a scoping study to explore a new UK forestry […]
Policy Roundup – June 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News On 14 June we met with Scotland’s Education Minister Jamie Hepburn to talk about the skills crisis and how we can resolve it. We were joined by Chief Forester Helen McKay FICFor […]
New government strategy for education increases support for green careers
Announced by the Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi on 21 April, the Department for Education has launched a new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy that includes plans to increase learning on green skills and careers for young people, with the introduction of a new Natural History GCSE. With the introduction of at least one sustainability lead […]
Policy Roundup – March 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News Several Institute staff attended the Confor dinner and awards this month which was a lovely opportunity to meet members in person. There have also been two reports published this month that the […]
UK Forestry Learning Space / Initiative survey
Recognition of the ongoing forestry skills shortages and growth of the wider industry due to climate change and the green economy has created impetus for exploration of a new forestry learning space across the UK. Such a space would seek to address recruitment and education needs, coordinate resources, as well as raising awareness of the […]
Forestry Commission announces ground-breaking apprenticeship programme for the forestry sector
First-of-its-kind opportunity offers an exciting career pathway into the forestry sector for people from all backgrounds and abilities Successful applicants will support delivery of ambitious tree planting targets as we build back greener A first-of-its-kind apprenticeship initiative to foster a growing, highly skilled and more diverse workforce within the forestry sector has been announced […]
Forestry organisation grows future leaders
Scotland’s leading forestry business is celebrating the 5th anniversary of its graduate training programme by recruiting eight more future industry leaders. Scottish Woodlands Ltd. addressed the skills crisis head-on by launching its own Graduate Development Programme in 2017 – and now almost 40% of managers in the company are ‘home-grown’. “We are experts at growing […]
Forestry placement opportunities in Wales
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) are once again offering an exciting opportunity for four students to undertake a mid-year placement as part of their forestry or land management degree from a higher educational institution. Starting in September 2022, the placements will provide students with the valuable opportunity to work alongside NRW’s dedicated and experienced team of […]
Chartered Foresters develop new online learning platform
Building on the success of previous online courses, Cumbria Woodlands has launched Canopy Learning. It is critical that organisations, woodland owners and professionals have access to current training and this platform uses a mixture of video, audio and written resources. Director of Cumbria Woodlands and Chartered Forester, Neville Elstone MICFor, said: “This is a new era […]
Secretary of State for Skills responds to Institute position paper
Our position paper on the serious skills shortage in our sector has received another response from the UK Government. Alex Burghart MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills, from the Department for Education has replied in writing to the Institute’s Executive Director, Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor, detailing the department’s ongoing efforts and investment in […]