Woodland Skills training programme
The Woodland Skills training programme is a combination of practical on-site learning experiences and talks from industry professionals on a range of topics relating to woodland creation, tree care and land management. It is free to attend but you must apply and be selected onto the programme first.
What is it?
The woodland Skills training programme is designed to help adults who want to work with trees and woodlands to gain skills and experience that might lead to employment, training or volunteering.
Workshops will include information about career pathways and practical skills to help increase your employability in the field. These will be delivered by experts from the National Trust, Bristol City Council, B&NES Council, Forest of Avon Trust, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Forestry Commission, Royal Forestry Society, with more to be confirmed shortly.
Participants will be encouraged to create their own self-directed career plan. They will receive help with CV writing, interview skills and resources to support next steps into employment, volunteering or further training.
Throughout the 6-month programme, there will be opportunities to meet people working in a range of jobs across the sector and/or to shadow our staff and volunteers in a range of activities relating to Woodland Creation, heritage and outreach.
Image - Rob Carmier
Who’s it for?
Participants suited to this programme will be:
- Living in the West of England
- Not yet in a paid job within the green sector
- Looking to work in the green sector now or in the future
- Able to dedicate approximately 4 days a month to the programme (flexible times)
- Over the age of 18
- Have a Level 2 command of English language or higher
We are particularly keen to hear from those who identify when any of the following:
- Unemployed people of all ages
- People having taken a career break and now looking to retrain
- 18-25 year olds
- People who have volunteered with Avon Needs Trees and are looking for more
- Those who have faced barriers to accessing environmental jobs – which might be due to race, sexual orientation, caring responsibilities, income or disability.
Read our Woodland Skills FAQ’s to see how we are making the programme accessible.
Image - Rob Carmier
When will it happen?
Avon Needs Trees’ second Woodland Skills programme will run from November 2024 – May 2025.
Applications are now closed. Applicants will be notified by 23rd October 2024.
There will be two workshops a month, usually on a Thursday, with some opportunities to join online lunchtime and evening talks.
Please take a look at the list of confirmed workshop dates and locations before applying.
Workshops will take place across Bristol and at other sites in Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Many of these sites will be woodlands. There will also be regular opportunities for online learning via live webinars.
How do I apply?
Applications for Group 2 are now closed.
Applicants will be notified by 23rd October 2024.
Please read our privacy policy before you begin so you know how your data will be handled.
We appreciate it if you can complete an anonymous equalities form as well. This will not be linked to your application in any way.
If you need an alternative format please email contact@avonneedstrees.org.uk or call 07709 086 434.
The deadline for applications has now passed.
Not everyone who applies will get a place on the programme. Successful applicants will be notified before 23rd October 2024.
If you need more info to help you apply, please read our Woodland Skills FAQ’s.
Woodland Creation Manager Alister Wynn, first got involved with ANT as a volunteer. Image - Ecosulis
Building on success
As a growing charity, Avon Needs Trees has employed four people who started out as volunteers with us, and there are several others who have progressed to jobs at the Wildlife Trusts, Forest of Avon Trust, Soil Association or who have set up their own enterprises offering specialist skills.
The first Woodland Skills training programme saw 86% of participants move into employment, training or new volunteering opportunities. You can read more about the successes of the pilot programme on our blog.
Will you be our next success story?
The Woodland Skills Training Programme is possible thanks to funding from West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
