Guidance

Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund

The newly expanded Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund covers training costs for short, practical forestry and arboriculture courses.

Applies to England

PleaseThe note that the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund is currently closed for new applicationsapplications, asbut allis availabledue fundingto isopen currentlyagain fullyin allocated.the coming weeks.

About the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund

The newly expanded Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund is nowdue closedto reopen for applications.applications in the coming weeks. Funding covers training costs for short, practical forestry and arboriculture courses. The fund is designed for people seeking to build skills or those considering a change of career intoor theseseeking sectors.to Thebuild Fundand isdiversify antheir extensionskills ofin theforestry Forestryand Training Fund which opened at the start of 2023 to unprecedented demand.arboriculture.

We are offering to cover 100% of the costs for eligible training courses, meaning these are free for applicants. Funding will be paid directly to the training provider. Applicants should note that expenses, such as travel are not covered.

Funding willfor becourses allocatedis onlimited aand firstwe come,would firstencourage servedthose basis.interested to apply early when the fund reopens.

ThePriority Forestrywill andbe Arboriculturegiven Trainingto Fundthose isindividuals partwho ofeither thehave Naturenot forpreviously Climatebeen Fund,awarded partgrant offunding whichthrough willthe kick-startprogramme, aor step-changewho inhave treebeen plantingawarded infunding England.for Thisless willthan help3 uscourses achievesince ourFebruary commitment2023. ofIndividuals increasingwho andhave protectingpreviously ourbeen biodiversityawarded byfunding providingfor habitat3 connectivity,or asmore wellcourses asmay capturingstill carbonapply, asbut partthere ofis theno pathwayguarantee tothat netany zerofurther emissionsgrant byfunding 2050.will be awarded.

What types of courses qualify for funding?

Forestry short courses available includecover teachingtopics specificincluding skills like coppicing and chainsaw maintenance, and broader learning on managing your woodland;woodland, such as:

  • planning and planting a new woodland;woodland
  • deer stalking
  • marketing and selling timber; timber
  • fencing and hedge laying.

Arboriculture short courses available includecover teachingtopics specific skills like including:

  • aerial tree pruning, pruning
  • branch removal and crown reduction, as well as reduction
  • assisted felling and tree surveying.

    surveying

You may request courses that are not on the suggested list of courses by providing a business case and we will assess suitability of the course and provider.

ThereApplicants is no limit to the number of courses an applicant can apply for -up asto longa asmaximum itof can3 be demonstrated that individual courses arethrough developingthis around person’sof career.funding.

How to apply

The fund is currently closed for new applications.applications Applicantsbut haveis previouslyopening appliedsoon. atYou can visit Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund, whereahead details of eligiblethe courseslaunch anddate. trainingA providerssearchable cancourse belist found.will help you find out what’s available before you apply.

Find out if you are eligible

We welcome applications from:

  • people who would like to take a step towards a career in forestry or arboriculture
  • people currently working in other land-based sectors (such as agriculture) who would like to broaden their skill base
  • people wanting to switch careers and need to develop skills to get them started
  • people currently working in forestry and arboriculture who would like to develop their skills

Funding is available to those applicants who work and operate in England. Forestry Commission employees are not eligible to apply, please contact your manager to discuss development opportunities.apply.

When is the deadline to apply for funding?

PleaseThe note that the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund is currently closed for new applicationsapplications, asbut allis availabledue fundingto isopen currentlyagain fullyfor allocated.applications in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions about the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund please email enquiries@forestryandarbtrainingfund.co.uk.

Training Providers

To get involved, Training Providers must apply to join the register which is managed by East Midlands Business on behalf of the Forestry Commission. Email enquiries@forestryandarbtrainingfund.co.uk or visit the portal for more information.

Published 3 February 2023
Last updated 1310 DecemberJuly 20232024 + show all updates
  1. Updated copy to reflect that the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund will reopen.

  2. Updated to reflect that the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund is currently closed for new applications as all available funding is currently fully allocated.

  3. Update to reflect that only applications for Instructor Training courses are currently being accepted. All other funding for the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund is fully allocated.

  4. Updated to highlight the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund is now open for applications.

  5. Updated the Forestry Training Fund to The Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund. This fund is an extension of the Forestry Training Fund which opened at the start of 2023. The newly expanded fund will cover training costs for short, practical forestry courses as well as arboriculture courses. The fund is designed for people seeking to build or diversify skills or those considering a change of career into these sectors. The newly expanded Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund will reopen for applications soon.

  6. Updated to confirm the allocation of funds.

  7. Update: Demand for the Forestry Training Fund Grant has been extremely high. All available funding for training courses to be undertaken prior to 31st March 2024 is now fully allocated.

  8. First published.