Job Description

This job is part of our sustainability series:  > See more sustainable job ideas > Find out more about sustainable careers

A Forestry Worker will manage woodland and forests they play a vital role in protecting ecological and animal habitats. The role will include conducting forest surveys, carrying out tree safety inspections, felling, thinning and pruning trees as necessary, planting saplings and protecting trees from harmful wildlife, pests and disease.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills needed in this job. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Land-based Technology
• Level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

The following local colleges offer courses in Arboriculture:

• Easton College
• Suffolk Rural 

Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through an intermediate apprenticeship as a forest operative.

You'll usually need some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship.

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

You could study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• forestry
• arboriculture
• countryside management
• forest management
• woodland ecology and conservation

You may choose to study a degree accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Click here to search for a suitable course.

Other routes

You can apply for a graduate training scheme with Forestry England.

Career Tips

Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to be able to cope with working at height and have a Certificate of Competence, if you carry out hazardous tasks using a chainsaw.

You could join the Institute of Chartered Foresters , for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

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

Career Path and Progression

You could progress to senior forest worker or become a forest or arboricultural officer.

You could also become a forest ranger, working with wardens or conservation officers to look after wildlife.

You could become self-employed.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Arboricultural officer
• Tree surgeon
• Horticultural worker
• Forest officer

Required Skills

• You will need an interest in caring and managing woodlands and animal habitats
• Have a genuine care for the countryside
• A practical person who is prepared to work outside in all weathers
• practical skills to operate machinery
• organisational skills to manage your workload

Salary Range

£15,000 to £27,000