Recycling

Forestry worker

Forestry workers plant, manage and harvest trees and care for the environment in forests and woodland.

Annual Salary

£24,000 to £30,000

Working hours

42 to 44 a week

You could work: between 8am and 6pm;

2.2%
Future employment

There will be 2.2% fewer Forestry worker jobs in 2029.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

As a forest worker, you could:

  • clear undergrowth like shrubs and plants so you can plant tree seedlings
  • cut down trees and branches and get timber ready to be removed
  • put up fences, gates and public information notices
  • clear footpaths and nature trails
  • maintain equipment, drainage systems and car parks
  • protect the forest from pests and diseases and prevent forest fires

We've identified this as a green job

As a forestry worker you'll look after forests and woodlands. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in woodland.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
College

You could take a course at an agricultural college to learn some of the skills needed in this job.

Courses include:

  • forestry and arboriculture
  • countryside management
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You could get into this job by doing a Forest Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

With experience, you could move on to complete a Professional Forester Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Volunteering and work experience

You may find it useful when looking for jobs to have some relevant practical experience. You can find volunteering opportunities with organisations like:

Direct application

You could apply directly to become a forestry worker.

You'll usually need certain licences, for instance, a licence for chainsaw operations or for driving agricultural machinery.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in forestry from the Royal Forestry Society.

With experience you could:become a forest works supervisor, woodland manager or arboricultural officer; work as forest ranger with wardens or conservation officers to look after wildlife; educate community groups on the importance of forest and wildlife conservation to sustainability

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of geography
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of maths
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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