Funding and Progression Pathways
There are a number of funding options and support routes available in Wales for people and businesses working in, or considering a career in, forestry, arboriculture, timber, land management and related sectors.
The options available will depend on your current role, employment status, the type of training you need and whether you are applying as an individual or on behalf of a business. Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria, application process and available provision, and not every option will be suitable for everyone.
Use the sections below to explore the main routes, who they may suit and where to find the latest information.
Apprenticeships and work-based learning
An apprenticeship can provide a route into forestry, arboriculture, timber or a related sector while you earn a wage and develop practical skills and recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships combine employment with structured learning and may suit people entering the sector, changing career or employers looking to develop their workforce.
Apprenticeships are an employment and training route rather than a general grant for paying for a standalone short course.
-
People looking for a practical route into a new career.
Young people and adults exploring work-based learning.
Employers who may be able to recruit an apprentice and support their development.
-
Whether an appropriate apprenticeship framework or qualification is available in Wales.
Whether a suitable employer, vacancy and training provider are available locally.
Entry requirements, age rules and any conditions attached to the particular apprenticeship.
Further and higher education
Colleges, universities and other training providers may offer courses and qualifications relevant to forestry, arboriculture, ecology, conservation, woodland management, environmental skills and timber. Options may include full-time or part-time study, professional qualifications and shorter courses.
-
New entrants who need a recognised qualification or a broader foundation of knowledge.
Career changers exploring a new sector.
People looking to progress into specialist, technical or management roles.
-
Funding depends on the course, provider, level of study and your circumstances. Ask the provider what support is available and check whether any course-specific or learner funding applies before enrolling.
Welsh Government Flexible Skills Programme (FSP)
The Flexible Skills Programme helps eligible Welsh businesses contribute towards the cost of training their workforce. The programme includes a Forestry and Timber Supply Chain route, with training areas that may include woodland and tree management, chainsaw skills, pesticides, emergency first aid with forestry, forest machine operation, timber processing, digital skills and forestry or timber management.
-
Eligible businesses based in Wales that want to develop the skills of their workforce.
Forestry and timber supply-chain businesses seeking training relevant to the programme’s current priorities.
The FSP is a business-led funding route. It should not be presented as a general individual training grant or as the same thing as the Forestry Learning & Development Programme.
-
The Flexible Skills Programme (FSP) can contribute 50% towards eligible training costs, subject to the scheme’s rules and limits. Businesses normally start by submitting an expression of interest and completing an eligibility check. If invited to proceed, they then submit a fuller application. Training should not be treated as approved until the required approval has been received. Check the current guidance for details of reimbursement arrangements and evidence requirements.
Check the current eligibility rules, training priorities, funding limits and application window.
Confirm that the proposed training and provider are acceptable under the scheme.
Wait for the required approval before committing to training costs.
Keep attendance, completion, invoice and payment evidence as required by the scheme.
FFF can help eligible participants explore the FSP and prepare or transfer relevant skills information where appropriate. The business remains responsible for its application; FFF cannot submit an application on its behalf.
Farming Connect
Farming Connect offers subsidised accredited training for eligible participants in the Welsh farming and forestry sectors. Depending on the course category and the participant’s circumstances, support may cover a proportion of the training cost.
-
This may be relevant to eligible farmers, foresters and other participants who meet Farming Connect’s current rules.
Do not assume that every forestry business, contractor or individual is eligible; check the current criteria with Farming Connect.
-
Farming Connect has published support of up to 80% for some categories of accredited training, with different contribution rates applying to some other categories. The courses available, contribution rates, limits and eligibility rules can change.
Check that you and the course are eligible.
Follow the current Farming Connect registration and Skills Hub process.
Complete any required Personal Development Plan (PDP) steps and identify the relevant learning goal.
Check the course and provider details and follow the current application instructions before booking or committing to costs.
Support for unemployed people and career changers.
If you are unemployed, changing career or looking for a way into forestry, arboriculture, conservation or timber, there may be employment and training support available in addition to the funding schemes aimed at businesses. The right option will depend on your age, circumstances, employment history and the training or job you are working towards.
-
Working Wales offers free careers advice and can help you explore employment opportunities, training and potential funding. An adviser can help you identify options that suit your circumstances.
More information: Working Wales — funding for training
-
ReAct+ may help eligible people who have been made redundant or are facing redundancy to return to work, including support towards vocational training and related costs. Eligibility criteria apply, and the future funding of the programme has been under review. Contact Working Wales to check current availability and requirements before relying on this option.
More information: ReAct+
-
Jobs Growth Wales+ supports eligible young people aged 16–19 who live in Wales and are not in full-time education, employment or training. It offers training, work experience and support to help young people move towards employment or further learning. A suitable forestry-related opportunity would need to be identified.
More information: Jobs Growth Wales+
-
Communities for Work+ offers employment advice and mentoring for eligible people who face barriers to finding work. Support can include help to build confidence, gain experience and develop skills. Availability may depend on current local provision and funding, so check with Working Wales before relying on this route.
More information: Communities for Work+
-
Personal Learning Accounts may provide fully funded, flexible courses for eligible adults aged 19 and over in Wales. They are generally aimed at people who are employed, self-employed or meet other specific eligibility criteria, rather than people who are unemployed. Some approved green-skills courses are not subject to the usual earnings cap. Check the current criteria and available courses before applying.
More information: Personal Learning Accounts
Other support and progression opportunities.
Business development and investment grants
Some grants support business investment, development or growth rather than paying directly for an individual’s training. These may be relevant to forestry and timber businesses with wider development plans, but should not be confused with personal training funding. Check the purpose and eligible costs of each grant carefully.
More information: Business Wales - business support and funding.
Not sure where to start?
We can help you explore suitable training and potential funding opportunities through our Learning and Development Support service
Ready to get started?
If you are eligible for the Forestry Learning & Development Programme, we can help you identify your skills needs, explore relevant training and understand the options available to you.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
Identifying suitable training providers and courses.
Exploring funding options and checking where to find the current eligibility criteria.
Signposting to careers advice, qualifications, apprenticeships or other progression routes.
Helping you understand the information you may need to prepare for a funding application.
Making relevant skills information easier to reuse where appropriate, to reduce unnecessary duplication.
