FOUR young forestry trainees - including one teenager - have completed the first round of a new fully-funded scheme. 

Lewis Hosking, Thomas Mellars, Daniel Harrison, and Rhys Jones came from across Wales to take part in the Foresight Sustainable Forestry Skills Training Programme, which gave them the chance to learn about forestry-related activities. At just 16, Rhys was the youngest member of the quartet. 

Having fought off more than 50 applicants, the young people spent three separate weeks at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, securing qualifications in tree planting, chainsaw operating, tractor driving, and much more.

READ MORE: Confor's Introduction to Forestry Machinery: Plugging the industry's skills gap

Lewis, 20, who originally worked on a farm before becoming a forestry contractor, said: “I applied for the programme because I knew it would help me out later in life by having a lot more certificates and learning more about trees.

"I enjoyed the tractor and strimming course the most. I learned a lot and met lots of new people.”

Forestry Journal:

The programme was launched in the summer of 2022 by Tilhill to help young people within rural Wales gain employment in forestry within their local Welsh community. 

Richard Kelly, co-lead of Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company, said: “Congratulations to Lewis, Thomas, Daniel and Rhys for successfully completing the first Foresight Sustainable Forestry Skills Training Programme. 

"The skills, qualifications and safety equipment that the training has provided mean they are now well placed to work as contractors across the forestry industry and we very much look forward to welcoming them to our sites in Wales." 

Iwan Parry, Tilhill’s regional manager for Wales and a Chartered Forester, said: “They clearly have a great future ahead of them and we will see them again across woodland creation sites in Wales."

Forestry Journal:

The next step is for the trainees to receive mentoring from Tilhill forest managers, people with experience across full timber crop rotations including tree planting, woodland management and the harvesting and restocking of the best quality trees for home grown timber to supply local markets. 

Daniel, 22, from Ceredigion, said: “It was one of the best experiences I’ve had to date! Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to do some training.”