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Forestry worker

Alternative titles for this job include Forest craftsperson

Forestry workers plant, manage and harvest trees and care for the environment in forests and woodland.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

College

You could take a course at an agricultural college to learn some of the skills needed to find a trainee position. Courses include:

  • forestry and arboriculture
  • arboriculture
  • countryside management
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job by doing a Forest Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

With experience, you could move on to complete a Professional Forester Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

You may find it useful when looking for jobs to have some relevant practical experience. You can find volunteering opportunities with organisations like:

Direct Application

You could apply directly to become a forestry worker.

You'll usually need certain licences, for instance, a licence for chainsaw operations or for driving agricultural machinery.

More Information

Further information

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

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of geography
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of maths
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a forest worker, you could:

  • clear undergrowth like shrubs and plants so you can plant tree seedlings
  • cut down trees and branches and get timber ready to be removed
  • put up fences, gates and public information notices
  • clear footpaths and nature trails
  • maintain equipment, drainage systems and car parks
  • protect the forest from pests and diseases and prevent forest fires

We've identified this as a green job

As a forestry worker you'll look after forests and woodlands. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work in woodland.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

  • become a forest works supervisor, woodland manager or arboricultural officer
  • work as forest ranger with wardens or conservation officers to look after wildlife
  • educate community groups on the importance of forest and wildlife conservation to sustainability

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a forestry worker right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Arboriculture (Tree Management) and Forestry Foundation Diploma (Level 3)

  • Provider: CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Enfield

Level 3 - BTEC 90 Credit Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture (Adult P/T) - FL3/NSF - PEARSONS

  • Provider: RNN GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Rotherham
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