Job market information
Finding out about trees and timber
The trees and timber industry is part of the environmental and land‐based industries, represented by Lantra Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; equine; environmental conservation; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land‐based engineering; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; production horticulture; and veterinary nursing. The sector as a whole currently employs 1,126,000 people (approximately 4% of the UK workforce) in around 230,000 businesses. In addition, there are an estimated 500,000 volunteers working in the sector on a regular basis. Approximately 42% of the workforce is self-employed.
The trees and timber industry includes the care and management of trees, woodlands and forests, and the production of wood and timber products. It comprises businesses involved in arboriculture, forestry establishment, forestry harvesting and timber processing. Recently, there have been national, European and international policy developments, focusing on sustainable management and climate change.
Key facts:
- There are approximately 22,452 people working in the industry, in an estimated 3,920 businesses in the UK.
- 93% of businesses employ between 0‐9 staff, 6% employ between 10‐49 staff and only 1% of businesses more than 48 staff.
- 53% of the workforce is over the age of 40.
- 82.5% of the workforce is full‐time.
- 44% of the workforce is self‐employed.
Jobs in the industry include: forestry consultant, forest manager, forester, forest machine operator, community ranger, woodman, harvesting contractor, chainsaw operator.
Entry and progression
Entry requirements for this industry vary depending on the job role. Some jobs require no formal qualifications. However, relevant qualifications and experience can be an advantage, especially for higher paid job roles. Technical/specialist roles may require specific qualifications and/or experience, but some employers may invest in training a suitable individual. Volunteering or taking seasonal/temporary work can improve employment opportunities. There are opportunities for those wishing to change career, particularly those from the leisure sector and construction.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses (at undergraduate level), apprenticeships, training schemes, vocational qualifications and a Diploma in environmental and land‐based studies.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
22,452 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
3,920 |
|---|
| Gender: |
80% male |
20% female |
|---|
| Age: |
53% of the workforce is over the age of 40 |
|---|
| only 11% of workforce is under 25 years |
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (January‐September), 2008 and IDBR, 2008.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Drivers of change in employment include:
- Customer demand – demand for wood fuel is perceived to be on the rise whilst the market for higher valued products is subject to the current global cycle.
- Climate change – increasingly, businesses within the industry are required to improve sustainability in order to manage effects of climate change, increase accountability (e.g. in lowering carbon emissions and managing chemical usage), to plan longer term to protect surrounding landscapes, scarce water supplies and also to support bio‐diversity.
- Economic change – the current economic downturn has meant that experienced workers are leaving the sector, the research and development investment has dwindled, there are also fewer tree harvesting contractors
- Labour supply – the expansion of the EU has meant freer population movement and an increasingly accessible source of migrant labour. In the long term, the sector will need to raise its profile in order to retain skilled workers but also attract young people, females, career changers and non‐traditional groups.
- Policy and legislation –
- Education: keeping the workforce up‐to‐date; creating flexible, bite‐sized learning opportunities that reflect industry needs
- Health and safety: working at height regulations
- Environmental sustainability: national forest strategies and regional forestry frameworks. Amendments to Habitat Directive (2007) – greater protection of forest species.
- Technological advances – increased necessity to incorporate ICT skills, to provide training with new machinery, and to encourage research and development strategies.
- Resource management – industry is set to experience an increase in wood availability in 2020; this process requires appropriate preparation and management.
Skill requirements and shortages
The current and future skills that will become increasingly important over the next 2 ‐3 are:
- Business and management skills
- Technical/job specific skills (e.g. operating machinery, tree surgery)
- Essential skills (e.g. literacy, numeracy, IT, communications and customer relations)
Occupational trends
An increase in logistics and planning staff will be required with a higher level of ICT and planning skills. Shortages exist in:
- Young recruits to all occupations
- Managers with practical and technical experience
- Craft workers, including tree climbers, planting teams, chainsaw and machine operators
National and regional data
The following employment and business estimates exclude the arboriculture activities of the industry.
East Midlands – There are an estimated 698 employees in the regional workforce, in around 275 businesses.
East of England – There are an estimated 2,223 employees in the regional workforce, in around 433 businesses.
London – There are an estimated 1,153 employees in 531 trees and timber businesses in the region.
North East – There are an estimated 1,982 employees in the regional workforce, in around 74 businesses. The industry is a significant employer in the region.
North West – There are an estimated 1,583 employees in the regional workforce, in around 400 businesses.
South East – There are an estimated 3,721 employees in the regional workforce, in around 705 businesses.
South West – There are an estimated 2,292 employees in the regional workforce, in around 430 businesses.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 1,254 employees in the regional workforce, in around 355 businesses.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 1,178 employees, in around 317 businesses.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 220 employees in the regional workforce, in around 32 businesses.
Scotland – There are an estimated 4,001 employees in the regional workforce, in around 208 businesses.
Wales – There are an estimated 2,147 employees in the regional workforce, in around 100 businesses.
[N.B. Data derived from IDBR, 2008 and Labour Force Survey, 2008.]
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salary paid to some full‐time positions:
- Forestry Managers £29,861
- Forestry Workers £19,535
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Lantra AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
