Potential earnings
£45,030.01
Forestry workers perform a variety of tasks related to the planting, cultivation and protection of trees.
Main tasks
- Monitors and patrols forests and parks to maintain grounds and prevent unauthorised entry.
- Operates machinery used in the cultivation and management of trees.
- Maintains watch for fires and operates firefighting equipment.
- Builds and maintains forest roads.
- Assists in the control of harmful diseases, pests or forms of wildlife.
- Cuts coppice, removes tops of standing trees and lops branches as necessary.
- Fells trees using axe or power saw and saws wood into required lengths.
- Collects seeds, plants and prunes trees and selects and marks trees for felling.
- Drains and ploughs land and erects and maintains fences as necessary.
- Prepares ground for planting by clearing vegetation and other debris.
Source: Office for National Statistics.
Salary and earnings
Average earnings
£30,198.32
Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
Skills & knowledge
The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
What course level do I need to study?
The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.
Educational requirements: Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C
Source: Office for National Statistics.
| Level of study | Percentage achieved |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 15% |
| Level 2 | 30% |
| Level 3 | 12% |
| Level 4-5 (Higher Education) | 11% |
| Level 6 (Bachelors) | 31% |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.
Similar careers
Warehouse Operatives
Warehouse operatives load, unload and convey a variety of goods, equipment or other items in warehouses and depots, prepare requisitions or despatch documents of stocks held, and perform other elementary goods handling and storage related tasks.
Average Salary:
£24,734.00
Delivery Operatives
Delivery operatives load and unload goods from removal vans and delivery vehicles, convey household and office furniture, goods, equipment or other items, accompany drivers of road vehicles, and perform other elementary goods handling tasks.
Average Salary:
£25,654.05
Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.
