Guidance

ApplyForestry forapprenticeships aat forestryForestry apprenticeshipCommission

Find out about the Forestry Commission’s Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme that offers an exciting career pathway into the forestry sector.

From:
Forestry Commission
Published
7 March 2022
Last updated
187 SeptemberFebruary 20242025 — See all updates

Applies to England

About the Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme

ApplicationsThe forForestry ForesterCommission Apprenticeshipsis areoffering nowa closed.

Find3-year, morepaid apprenticeship andprogramme trainee opportunitiesfor Development Woodland Officers, designed to kickstart a career in forestry.forestry.

The ForestryProfessional Commission,Forester inApprenticeship partnershipprogramme withis theopen Nationalto Schoolschool ofleavers, Forestrygraduates, ator theanyone Universitylooking offor Cumbriaa andchange thein Institutecareer ofdirection.

We Charteredlaunched Foresters,this isdevelopment offeringopportunity ain first2022 ofin itspartnership kindwith apprenticeshipthe programmeNational designedSchool toof kickstartForestry a(University careerof inCumbria) forestry.

Theand 3-year,the paidInstitute developmentof opportunityChartered launchedForesters. inIt 2022 and marked the first time that a degree-level forestry apprenticeship had been offered in the UK.

TheWe Forestryare Commission was looking for driven individuals who are eager to support ambitious tree planting plans and ensure our precious woods and forests continue to flourish for generations to come.

What does the programme involve?

Students will benefit from:

  • academic studies in forestry management at the National School of Forestry, University of Cumbria
  • practical experience in area teams across England
  • potential sector placements to further build skills and experience, enhancing future employment prospects

Upon completion of the programme, successful graduates will earn a Professional Forester Apprenticeship (equivalent to Level 6), BSc (Hons) Professional Forester and will be able to apply for Chartered Forester status with the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Matthew

What Gaskell,does currentthe apprentice,programme ageinvolve?

Development 19Woodland said:

MyOfficer adviceapprentices forwill anyonespend thinking80% aboutof applyingworking fromhours schoolconsolidating orskills collegein isa toreal-life notworking worryenvironment. aboutThe experience,remaining it’s20% morewill importantbe tospent focusin onoff-the-job enthusiasm.learning Thewith apprenticeship’sthe aboutNational bringingSchool inof newForestry, peopleconsisting intoof forestry,bi-monthly withresidential newblocks.

Apprentices ideas.will It’sbenefit thefrom:

  • academic perfectstudies gatewayin toforestry amanagement futureat careerthe inNational forestrySchool –of it’sForestry, soUniversity muchof betterCumbria
  • practical toexperience havein alreadyarea workedteams inacross theEngland
  • potential sector forplacements threeto years,further ratherbuild thanskills leaving Uni and startingexperience, fromenhancing scratchfuture again.employment There are doors already open.

prospects

Gareth Biggins, current apprentice, age 41 said:

I was asked recently what an average day looked like for an apprentice. While we have 8-week cycles of university study and assessment, our daily activities vary. Working alongside Woodland Officers, we consolidate the skills and knowledge gained at university by processing Fellingfelling Licences,licences, advising woodland owners and surveying Allegedalleged Illegalillegal Fellingfelling sites.

Many of the highlights of the last 9 months have been during visits to woodlands and the opportunity to discuss these with the owners, managers, foresters, and rangers who nurture them.

Find

Read outmore ifabout youGareth’s areForestry eligible

Commission apprentice journey.

Matthew Gaskell, current apprentice, age 19 said:

Applications

My advice for Foresteranyone Apprenticeshipsthinking about applying from school or college is to not worry about experience, it’s more important to focus on enthusiasm. The apprenticeship’s about bringing in new people into forestry, with new ideas. It’s the perfect gateway to a future career in forestry, it’s so much better to have already worked in the sector for 3 years, rather than leaving university and starting from scratch again. There are nowdoors closed.already open.

The

Find Professionalout Foresterif Apprenticeshipyou are eligible

The programme wasis open to school leavers, graduates or anyone looking for a change in career direction.career.

AAs Levela ‘level 6 Apprenticeshipapprenticeship’ is a degree level qualification.qualification, Therethere is a strong academic element embeddedwithin into the programme.

Minimum entry requirements are:

  • mathematics:maths: GCSE pass at grade C or 4 and above
  • English: GCSE pass at grade C or 4 and above
  • minimum of 96 UCAS points, these can be made up in several ways

ToCheck check your qualifications,qualifications useusing the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

Successful applicants will need to live and work within the geographical area during their employment. Relocation expenses will not be provided.

How to apply

Apply for a Development Woodland Officer apprenticeship through Civil Service Jobs, by region:

The deadline to apply is 11.55pm Sunday 16 March 2025.

Contact us and further information

For more information or questions about the Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme, email apprenticeships@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Learn more about other career paths and training in forestry.

Employers,

Find aremore youapprenticeship interestedand trainee opportunities in hostingforestry.

Employers, can you host an apprentice?

We are looking to work with employers who arecan able to take on apprentices who will join the Forestry Commission apprentices cohort for the formal part of their training.

We maycan be able to help with the process and are happy to talk through what’s involved.

Contact theEmail Forestryus Commission

Forat more information or questions about the Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme, please email apprenticeships@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Updates to this page

Published 7 March 2022
Last updated 187 SeptemberFebruary 2024 2025 + show all updates

  1. The page has been updated to reflect that the apprenticeship programme has re-opened.

  2. Added links to the page 'career paths and training in forestry'.

  4. Applications for Forester Apprenticeships have closed.

  6. Added direct links to the individual areas on Civil Service jobs.

  8. Updated to reflect that the Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme is now open for applications for the 2024 programme.

  10. Updated to reflect that the Professional Forester 2024 Apprenticeship programme will be opening for applications soon.

  12. Update to minimum entry requirements to clarify the need for English GCSE pass at grade C or 4 and above.

  14. Update to the name of the programme.

  16. Updated to mark applications as closed.

  18. The application window for our 2023 Development Woodland Officer programme is now open.

  20. Recruitment for 2022 is now closed, sign up to our eAlert for information on 2023 recruitment.

  22. Addition of how to apply information.

  24. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Contents