A £1 million training initiative to tackle the skills shortage in Wales’ forestry sector will be launched next week.
The three-year scheme, called Focus on Forestry First, will help people working in the timber industry to draw up training plans free of charge and offer up to 100% funding for training courses.
The initiative, which was developed with the help of Forestry Commission Wales, will be managed by MWMAC Ltd, based in Rhayader, and is funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Welsh Assembly Government.
Anyone who registers with the project will be visited by an advisor who will review all the training needs for their business. They will also create a secure, personal database where training records can be maintained through the project website.
The cash injection follows a series of Resource Assessments carried out by the Wales Forest Business Partnership and Forestry Commission Wales that identified a serious shortage of skills in the forestry industry, which is worth £370 million to the Welsh economy and employs in the region of 8,900 people.
Hugh Jones, head of the Commission’s business arm, Wales Harvesting and Marketing (WHaM), welcomed the new initiative.
“This is good news for everybody involved in the industry. The project is tailored to meet the needs of the contractors and small businesses typical of the forest sector,” he said.
“The forest sector offers many opportunities for an exciting and rewarding career but it’s essential that the skills required to meet the challenges of providing multi-purpose benefits are encouraged and supported.”
There is a one-off business registration fee for anyone wanting to benefit from Focus on Forestry First, based on the number of people in the business. The cost for up to two employees is £75, £100 for three to 10 employees and £150 for those with 11 or more.
Anyone wishing to register will be expected to attend at least one free workshop or seminar. To find out more, simply call MWMAC free on 0808 178 2757 or email [email protected], or visit www.focusonforestryfirst.co.uk .
