Search Underway for the new Muirdrochwood Forestry Apprentice
PRESS RELEASE FROM DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY WOODLANDS
Carsphairn Community Woodland continues to develop activities and facilities at Muirdrochwood Woodland, near Carsphairn. The Directors are now looking to recruit the next Forestry Pre-Apprentice on a six-month training contract for a whole range of outdoor and practical tasks on site.
Left to right - Andy Bain (Forestry Mentor), D McMillan (CCW chair), Phoenix Lord (previous Pre-Apprentice)
In March 2022, more than 4 years of work by the local volunteers of Carsphairn Community Woodland Ltd (CCW) finally paid off, with ownership taken on of part of Muirdrochwood Forest. The group have since developed a timber processing and woodfuel enterprise with sheds and equipment installed, car park, a wildlife hide, a children’s play area, defibrillator, and walking routes installed on the site. Felled areas are being replanted with native trees to enhance the woodland environment. A Rural Skills Centre is in the processes of being developed to enable a full programme of events and rural skills training for all ages, with an emphasis on the young people in our region.
The search is now underway for what will be the fourth pre-apprentice role hosted on the site. Previous successful candidates have taken their training on to further employment and development in the sector.
A full range of appropriate training and support will be provided for this ‘hands-on’ role. It would suit someone keen on the practical nature of the work, with tasks ranging from tree felling, log fuel production, tree planting, tree nursery work and other general forest maintenance jobs. The full-time, paid post would be for a 6 month period and would suit anyone interested in a career in the forestry sector.
To show your potential interest in the role, ask any queries or to receive more info about what it would involve, send an email to CCW development officer Alison Macleod on developmentofficerccw@gmail.com. Applications are sought by 5pm on 21st June 2024.
If you would like to discuss the role, feel free to call David McMillan, chair of Carsphairn Community Woodland on 07710 124255. David said:
“Our previous pre-apprentices received a wide range of training and practical experience and proved to be hard working individuals, contributing well to the activities in the woodland. We are keen to help progress more young people in the forestry workplace and look forward to receiving applications for this position.”
This role forms part of the ‘Woodlands Plus’ project which is seeking to add value to woodlands in the region - from employment opportunities, to public amenity or biodiversity benefits. The project is overseen by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, a new organisation supporting trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them. The project is funded by the forestry sector, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Glenkens & District Trust. For more information on the wider ‘Woodlands Plus’ project, visit www.dgwoodlands.org.uk.
For more information on Carsphairn Community Woodland, follow ‘Carsphairn Community Woodland’ on Facebook and look out for details of the upcoming events in coming months! If you would like to join CCW as a member (if you live in Carsphairn Community area) or as a supporter (if you live further afield), visit www.carsphairn.org/CCWL.