GovWire

About the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund

The Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund is due to reopen for applications in the coming weeks. Funding covers training costs for short, practical forestry and arboriculture courses. The fund is designed for people considering a change of career or seeking to build and diversify their skills in forestry and arboriculture.

We are offering to cover 100% of the costs for eligible training courses, meaning these are free for applicants. Funding will be paid directly to the training provider. Applicants should note that expenses, such as travel are not covered.

Funding for courses is limited and we would encourage those interested to apply early when the fund reopens.

Priority will be given to those individuals who either have not previously been awarded grant funding through the programme, or who have been awarded funding for less than 3 courses since February 2023. Individuals who have previously been awarded funding for 3 or more courses may still apply, but there is no guarantee that any further grant funding will be awarded.

What types of courses qualify for funding?

Forestry short courses available cover topics including coppicing and chainsaw maintenance, and broader learning on managing your woodland, such as:

• planning and planting a new woodland
• deer stalking
• marketing and selling timber
• fencing and hedge laying.

Arboriculture short courses available cover topics including:

• aerial tree pruning
• branch removal and crown reduction
• assisted felling and tree surveying

You may request courses that are not on the suggested list of courses by providing a business case and we will assess suitability of the course and provider.

Applicants can apply for up to a maximum of 3 courses through this round of funding.

How to apply

The fund is currently closed for new applications but is opening soon. You can visit Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund ahead of the launch date. A searchable course list will help you find out whats available before you apply.

Find out if you are eligible

We welcome applications from:

• people who would like to take a step towards a career in forestry or arboriculture
• people currently working in other land-based sectors (such as agriculture) who would like to broaden their skill base
• people wanting to switch careers and need to develop skills to get them started
• people currently working in forestry and arboriculture who would like to develop their skills

Funding is available to those applicants who work and operate in England. Forestry Commission employees are not eligible to apply.

When is the deadline to apply for funding?

The Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund is currently closed for new applications, but is due to open again for applications in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions about the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund please email enquiries@forestryandarbtrainingfund.co.uk.

Training Providers

To get involved, Training Providers must apply to join the register which is managed by East Midlands Business on behalf of the Forestry Commission. Email enquiries@forestryandarbtrainingfund.co.uk or visit the portal for more information.