Forest Worker

Also known as:

Timber Worker

Introduction

Forest workers carry out a range of practical tasks to establish, maintain and harvest timber from forested areas. The work involves clearing sites, planting young trees, carrying out drainage work and erecting fences. Duties also include fighting forest fires, conservation work and providing facilities to enhance public access.

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Work Activities

Forest workers carry out a range of practical tasks to establish, maintain and harvest timber from forested areas. They clear sites, plant young trees, carry out drainage work and erect fencing. Other tasks include marking out timber to be felled, clearing undergrowth, pruning, spraying, thinning and felling timber to a maintenance and harvesting plan.

As well as using hand tools, such as axes, sickles and billhooks, forest workers also operate power tools, such as chainsaws and powersaws. They also operate heavier machinery such as tractors, forwarders, harvesters and lorries.

The work can sometimes be hazardous and protective clothing (heavy boots, reinforced trousers, gloves, masks and goggles, and harnesses - when climbing trees) may need to be worn. Forest workers spend most of their time outdoors, in all weather conditions.

Forest workers also assist in fighting forest fires. Increasingly, they are also involved in conservation work and the provision of facilities to enhance public recreation.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a forest worker you need to be aware of safety aspects, especially when working close to team members using power tools. You must also be capable of working on sloping or uneven ground covered in undergrowth. You need to be able to work quickly and skilfully. Forest workers need to be agile and physically fit. You should not suffer from hay fever or be allergic to the chemicals used in forestry.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Forest workers earn in the range of £12,000 - £14,500 a year, rising to around £19,500 a year. Higher earners can make around £21,000 a year.

Forest workers work a basic 39-hour week. However, early starts, late finishes and weekend work may be required.

Forest workers find work with the Forestry Commission, on private estates, with local councils, with government agencies or conservation organisations and with forest management companies.

Self-employed contract work is available, and there has been a shift towards this in recent years.

Most forestry jobs are in regions of the country with large commercial forests, such as Wales, Scotland and northern England.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have skills and abilities, eg, in agriculture or horticulture or another area that involves using tools and machinery.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Distance learning is offered by the Horticultural Correspondence College, with certificate and diploma courses in arboriculture.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

• 45% of forest workers are self-employed.
• 24% work part-time.
• 11% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as conservation or countryside management.