Skills Development 2017-2022

The aim of this scheme was to raise the skills and competence of the trees and timber sector. FFF Ltd worked with businesses to identify their current and future training needs that support the delivery of Government Policy.

This enabled businesses to become more efficient and sustainable whilst also increasing employee job satisfaction and retention rates. Focus on Forestry First collaborated with businesses to identify their current skill gaps and needs. The scheme has contributed to the long-term prosperity of the industry and support sustainable practices.

We developed and implemented a streamlined online application process, funding was allocated on a business by business basis. We worked with Training Providers in Wales to deliver the training events which were funded at a rate of 75%.

This scheme also supported the commitment of woodland set out in the Welsh Government’s woodland strategy, Woodlands for Wales.

Please note:

Registrations into the Welsh Government Skills Development funding scheme closed on 16 December 2022.

Our Achievements

We worked with 1,037 registered businesses, employing 4,029 operators. The programme has supported 2,249 skills training courses over 178 different subjects, attended by 1,907 unique individuals who overall have taken up 6,901 training places (12,599 training days).

To deliver this training FFF Ltd. has worked with 231 different Training Providers, including 11 Welsh colleges.

Funded courses include:

  • 351 x Chainsaw Maintenance, Crosscutting, Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm

  • 181 x Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry

  • 171 x Tree Climbing and Rescue

  • 176 x Felling and Processing Trees Over 380mm

  • 127 x Safe Use of Manually fed Wood-chipper

  • 56 x IPAF

  • 127 x Pesticides (PA1 / PA6)

  • 124 x Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw Using Free-fall Techniques

  • 102 x Severing Uprooted or Windblown Trees using a Chainsaw

  • 113 x Forest Machine Operations

  • 43 x Safe Use of a Chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform

  • 78 x Brushcutters & Trimmers

  • 21 x Safe Use of ATV

  • 28 x Powered Pole Pruner

Full details of the funding scheme can be found by downloading our SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCHEME RULES 2022.

Feedback

“Having access to funding has enabled all members of our tree teams to access courses. Following successful training, we have been able to employ 4 members of the team on formal contracts which ensures continuity and sustainability in the workforce.

Due to the skills set and professionalism of our teams, we have been able to win key Tenders and larger contracts 2022 - 2023.”

- Alison Edwards, Steve Ambler Trees

“I have received funded training in various areas which has helped propel me into new areas of work and has broadened my skill set and knowledge of the industry…”

- David Vickers, Vickers Tree Surgery

“The funding has given new and existing staff the confidence to move forward into more dynamic roles and further their careers within the tree surgery sector.”

- David Rogers, Acorn Tree Services

“FFF made a special pathway for me as a service leaver looking to enter the industry. This funding allowed me to complete numerous courses and meet people from all over the industry over the last 12 months.

I have developed a large network and learned not only what is taught on the course, but also what they do in their varied roles which is invaluable going forward.”

- Simon Smith

“FFF have enabled me to access courses I would otherwise not have been able to afford. These courses have enhanced my small business and personal qualifications. Subsequently allowing contracts and tenders to be won”

- James Slack, Back of the Woods Tree Surgery & Forestry

“With funding from FFF we have been able to train more staff and gained certificates so that we have been able to tender for better more challenging contracts”

- Gwyneth Metclalfe - S E Metcalfe a’i Gwmni