Oban event invites women to consider forestry careers
Forestry and Land Scotland is hosting a careers day in Oban that aims to encourage women of all ages to take a closer look at forestry as a career option.
The event – to be held on 17 September at Corran Hall (from 10.30-3.00) – will highlight the wide variety of roles across a diverse and vitally important sector for Scotland’s economy.
As well as FLS staff – including Director of Land Management (Mrs) Jo Ellis - the event will include representatives from the Argyll Coast and Countryside Trust, RSPB Scotland, Equate Scotland, Forest Research and Scottish Forestry, as well as private sector companies including Scottish Woodlands, Tilhill, John Deer, and RTS Forestry.
FLS Rainforest Delivery Forester, Hazel Walker, who has organised the event said:
“We have run several of these events now and are steadily getting the message out to women across the country that a forestry career probably has a lot more to offer than they thought.
“Of course there are roles involving operating large harvesting machinery to get timber to market and we’ll even have a John Deer simulator at the event so the people can try their hand.
“But there are roles that focus on communities and visitors, or roles that focus on conservation and wildlife. There are career paths in disciplines like forestry and civil engineering, as well as others in support professions such as HR, finance, procurement and digital services.
“Forestry is more important now than it has ever been and the sector crying out for new people to join the workforce, the range of opportunities is surprisingly broad. I’d encourage women who are curious to just drop in, have a look around and speak to a few people. I think anyone coming along will be surprised at what they find out.”
The event is open to women of all ages from imminent school leavers to anyone thinking of an early, mid or late-career change.
FLS has a strong record of welcoming young women into its workforce with opportunities to work outdoors – often in the rural areas they come from – and on-the-job training and learning.
FLS Renewables and Infrastructure Manager, Freya Williamson, said;
“I have really enjoyed my time with Forestry and Land Scotland and from a starting point of never having done any forestry work, have gained experience doing a number of roles.
“I started out back in Forestry Commission days as a Worksite Supervisor in a different part of the country, and have taken on different roles, including work programming and plant health as well as operational forestry. I am now working in the team that is at the heart of FLS’ contribution to developing Scotland’s renewable energy potential.
“From day one, there have been opportunities for learning and development that I’ve been able to take advantage of.”
Senior HR Manager (Talent and Resourcing), Simone Forbes, said;
"Forestry encompasses far more than people generally expect, and I’d encourage anyone interested to come along and see the breadth of opportunities for themselves.”
Notes to editors
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
- Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot