Forest/woodland manager : Training

Structured technical and management training is offered by the Forestry Commission  and all large private companies within the industry. A large amount of practical training is delivered on the job.

If you take a degree course accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF)  and gain associate membership, you can follow the ICF’s Professional Membership Entry (PME) route. This leads to professional chartered status and the use of MICFor after your name. Chartered status can be gained through examination after at least two years of approved professional practice in forestry or arboriculture. The second part of the examination involves an interview as well as an assessment of professional competence, and presentation of a professional practice portfolio.

In order to retain chartered status, continuing professional development (CPD) is essential. Suitable CPD activities include participating in conferences, meetings, discussion groups and short courses, as well as publishing technical work and delivering lectures.

The Forestry Commission encourages staff to engage in formal training courses to advance professional development. Their internal training division provides training for its own employees as well as external personnel working within the sector. They provide traditional forest management courses as well as courses in people management, business and IT. Use the Lantra CourseFinder  for a wide range of skills-based forestry courses.