Skills Development Support
Not sure what skills or training you need next? Our Skills Development Support can help you identify your priorities, develop a practical Skills Development Plan and explore appropriate training and development opportunities.
The support is designed for people and businesses across the Forestry & Timber supply chain in Wales, helping you understand your development needs and identify practical next steps.
Up to 40 individual Skills Development Plans will be supported through the programme.
Who can apply (Eligibility)?
The Skills Development Support programme is open to individuals and businesses based in Wales who are involved in, or have a genuine route into, the forestry and timber sector.
You may be eligible if you are:
A business with employees working in the Forestry & Timber sector in Wales.
A sole trader or self-employed person working in the Forestry & Timber sector in Wales.
A new entrant or other relevant participant with a genuine connection to, or intention to enter, Forestry & Timber sector in Wales. This may include career changers, students, volunteers/community woodland participants, woodland owners and other relevant individuals or organisations.
Employees: We expect businesses and organisations with employees to register their interest on behalf of the business and identify employees who may benefit from support. If you are an employee of a Forestry & Timber business or organisation and are interested in Skills Development Support, please speak to your employer.
This helps us understand the development needs of the business and its workforce and manage access to the programme fairly across the sector. We will then work with the business to identify appropriate individuals and their Skills Development needs.
If your employer is not currently looking to take part but you would still like to explore your own skills and development needs, please contact us. We can discuss your circumstances and let you know whether individual support may be appropriate.
What we mean by Forestry & Timber: The programme covers a wide range of activities across the Forestry & Timber supply chain, including:
Nurseries & plant supply · Ground preparation & establishment · Forestry & woodland management · Harvesting & extraction · Timber transport & haulage · Timber processing & sawmilling · Arboriculture & related tree businesses*
*For arboriculture and related tree businesses, there must be a clear link to, or intention to be involved in, forestry.
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Complete the programme [Registration Form] and provide some information about your circumstances, role, business and initial skills and development needs.
If you have any trouble filling in this form please do not hesitate to contact us.
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We will review the information provided and check that you meet the programme's eligibility requirements.
We will then contact you regarding the next steps.
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We will use the information provided to understand your current skills, experience and development priorities.
Where useful, we may arrange a skills discussion by Teams or telephone to explore your needs in more detail.
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We will work with you to identify practical development priorities and appropriate next steps.
Your plan may include recommendations around:
Training and qualifications
CPD and professional development
careers and progression
funding opportunities, mentoring
other relevant development or support.
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We can help you explore appropriate training providers, funding routes and other opportunities.
Where appropriate, we can also make practical connections or provide further guidance to help you move forward.
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You will have an opportunity for follow-up support where appropriate, including reviewing your progress and considering whether any further support or development opportunities would be useful.
How does it work ?
The process is designed to be practical and proportionate to your needs. From registration through to your Skills Development Plan, we’ll use the information you provide to understand your priorities and identify the most useful next steps.
Not sure if you're eligible?
If you're unsure whether you meet the criteria, please contact us before registering and we can discuss this with you.
What about funding for training?
We will not provide direct funding for skills training through this programme.
Our role is to help you understand your skills and development needs and identify appropriate opportunities.
Where relevant, we can also help you understand and explore available funding routes, including the Welsh Government Flexible Skills Programme (FSP).
Skills Development Support and the Flexible Skills Programme
Your FFF Skills Development Plan is a separate part of the Forestry Learning & Development Programme. It does not replace the Skills Development Plan required as part of a Flexible Skills Programme application.
However, we are designing our process so that relevant information from your FFF Skills Development Plan can be transferred or copied into the FSP application process where appropriate. This should help reduce unnecessary duplication.
FFF can provide guidance and practical support to help you understand and complete the FSP application process, but the application remains your responsibility and must be submitted by you.
Ready to get started?
If you think Skills Development support could help you or your business, register your interest in the programme.
