Forest/woodland manager : Entry requirements

To enter this area of work you need to have a degree in a relevant area. In particular, the following degree subjects may improve your chances:

• forestry;
• land/estate/property management;
• ecology;
• horticulture;
• environmental science;
• rural studies;
• geography.

A small number of forestry HNDs, degrees and postgraduate qualifications are offered at UK universities and colleges, which have traditionally acted as an entry route to the profession. However, with the diversification of the industry away from purely timber production, a wider range of degrees, combined with relevant experience, is becoming more acceptable.

Entry without a degree or HND is possible at lower levels but further progression will depend on gaining relevant experience and study towards a qualification on a part-time basis.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification, either a postgraduate diploma or an MSc in Forestry, is necessary for holders of a non-relevant degree or HND.

It is advisable to take a course accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) . Courses are listed on their website. Successful completion of an accredited course will be the quickest route to Associate membership. With further experience and study this can lead to Chartered membership, which will give you professional recognition.

Should you wish to arrange summer work experience, speculative applications to forestry companies and forestry management groups are worthwhile.

A driving licence and physical fitness are essential. Candidates will also need to show evidence of the following skills:

• teamwork;
• organisation;
• communication;
• leadership;
• numeracy.

In addition to relevant qualifications and skills, practical experience is important for entry to the profession. Some forestry degrees are sandwich courses, enabling you to complete a year in industry as part of your study. The Forestry Commission  provides student sandwich placements. There are several voluntary organisations working in woodland management (e.g., the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) , the National Trust , The Woodland Trust  and Trees for Life ) and taking up volunteering opportunities with such organisations is valuable.

Overseas volunteering opportunities are available through specialist agencies such as Eye on the Rain Forest  in Puerto Rico, Tree People  or the US Forest Service  in the USA and Evergreen  in Canada. (These organisations are based abroad, so you would need to make your own travel arrangements.) In addition, many of the organisations that run a range of volunteer programmes abroad offer forestry-related projects.

There are varied job opportunities within this field, especially if you are willing to travel. There is strong competition for jobs, so gaining as much varied work experience as possible is crucial and will enhance applications.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.