Forestry and Coppicing
As well as being the most rurally located of all the Employer Coalitions, we also had stated an interest in our business plan in supporting green and sustainable resources industries.
Scottish Enterprise currently states, the total impact of the Scottish timber and forest industry on Scotland’s economy is estimated to be £1.67 billion GVA, supporting 38,500 jobs. It is a growth sector which plays a particularly important role in the economy of rural Scotland.
Under the Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme, landowners are encouraged to coppice native woodland where this is appropriate. While some of the largest traditional markets for coppice products have now disappeared, there has been a resurgence of other coppice crafts, such as green wood working and charcoal production
Traditionally woodlands are managed via the coppicing - young tree stems are cut down to a low level, or sometimes right down to the ground. Over the following years new shoots emerge, once mature the wood is harvested and the cycle begins again. The area of woodland coppiced is rotated to provide an annual crop as well as providing a diverse environment with a range of different aged stools growing in it.
In the Forestry Commission's Strategic Plan 2009 - 2013 for Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District, they state that timber production generates a significant number of jobs across the region, particularly in rural areas. This includes jobs in the forest, such as planting and felling, through timber haulage to processing destinations, such as saw mills and pulp mills.
We were approached by 2 forestry businesses quite separately who were asking for support to encourage training for and employment into the independent forestry and coppicing industry.
A great deal of progress in traditional woodcraft skills development has been achieved by Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice which is a traditional coppice and greenwood specialist. The proprietor, Mike Ellis was very aware that most, if not all of our native woodlands have been under some form of management in the past and most now show signs of neglect resulting in a decrease in biodiversity and poor quality timber.
All this is taking place at a time when there are fewer people being attracted to woodlands in a working sense that perhaps anytime in our history.
The net results of such industry changes have been the near extinction of most of the old trades and the non management of the woodlands that once served them.
HEC has been delighted to support a completely new type of course which is now accredited with a nationally recognised qualification at SVQ level 2, National Diploma and is currently being reviewed to SVQ level 3 status. This was the first, and continues to be the only, nationally accredited woodland skills course in Scotland, and was recently featured in the BBC programme 'Out of Doors'.
The course aims to introduce in a very practical sense the understanding of the practices and skills that have been used to manage native and coppice woodlands in the past. Techniques of layering and stooling, cleaving and riving, coppice planting and maintenance will all be covered, as well as the art of charcoal making amongst others.
At the time of writing, Mike Ellis is investigating the possibility with the appropriate agencies for the provision and accreditation of an apprenticeship scheme in woodland management and traditional woodland skills. This would add a hugely important aspect to the attraction of employment in woodland forestry, namely the ability to follow an accredited career development path.
We see this as offering a limited, but very important employment opportunity throughout the Highlands, albeit in small numbers locally, but accessible in many areas which currently offer very low levels of employment opportunity, whilst also encouraging business growth and commercial viability in the specific local economy.
Scottish Enterprise currently states, the total impact of the Scottish timber and forest industry on Scotland’s economy is estimated to be £1.67 billion GVA, supporting 38,500 jobs. It is a growth sector which plays a particularly important role in the economy of rural Scotland.
Under the Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme, landowners are encouraged to coppice native woodland where this is appropriate. While some of the largest traditional markets for coppice products have now disappeared, there has been a resurgence of other coppice crafts, such as green wood working and charcoal production
Traditionally woodlands are managed via the coppicing - young tree stems are cut down to a low level, or sometimes right down to the ground. Over the following years new shoots emerge, once mature the wood is harvested and the cycle begins again. The area of woodland coppiced is rotated to provide an annual crop as well as providing a diverse environment with a range of different aged stools growing in it.
In the Forestry Commission's Strategic Plan 2009 - 2013 for Inverness, Ross & Skye Forest District, they state that timber production generates a significant number of jobs across the region, particularly in rural areas. This includes jobs in the forest, such as planting and felling, through timber haulage to processing destinations, such as saw mills and pulp mills.
We were approached by 2 forestry businesses quite separately who were asking for support to encourage training for and employment into the independent forestry and coppicing industry.
A great deal of progress in traditional woodcraft skills development has been achieved by Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice which is a traditional coppice and greenwood specialist. The proprietor, Mike Ellis was very aware that most, if not all of our native woodlands have been under some form of management in the past and most now show signs of neglect resulting in a decrease in biodiversity and poor quality timber.
All this is taking place at a time when there are fewer people being attracted to woodlands in a working sense that perhaps anytime in our history.
The net results of such industry changes have been the near extinction of most of the old trades and the non management of the woodlands that once served them.
HEC has been delighted to support a completely new type of course which is now accredited with a nationally recognised qualification at SVQ level 2, National Diploma and is currently being reviewed to SVQ level 3 status. This was the first, and continues to be the only, nationally accredited woodland skills course in Scotland, and was recently featured in the BBC programme 'Out of Doors'.
The course aims to introduce in a very practical sense the understanding of the practices and skills that have been used to manage native and coppice woodlands in the past. Techniques of layering and stooling, cleaving and riving, coppice planting and maintenance will all be covered, as well as the art of charcoal making amongst others.
At the time of writing, Mike Ellis is investigating the possibility with the appropriate agencies for the provision and accreditation of an apprenticeship scheme in woodland management and traditional woodland skills. This would add a hugely important aspect to the attraction of employment in woodland forestry, namely the ability to follow an accredited career development path.
We see this as offering a limited, but very important employment opportunity throughout the Highlands, albeit in small numbers locally, but accessible in many areas which currently offer very low levels of employment opportunity, whilst also encouraging business growth and commercial viability in the specific local economy.
