Tilhill Forestry launches 2017 graduate programme

Dec. 20, 2016 - PRLog -- Recent forestry graduates, or those studying for a degree in forestry or related subjects such as land management, environmental studies or horticulture, will be ideally placed to join Tilhill Forestry's three-year graduate programme. Successful applicants are assigned to a district office or business stream where they learn every aspect of that area, including shadowing highly experienced colleagues.

Tilhill Forestry Managing Director George McRobbie said: "The forest industry is a fantastic career choice and Tilhill Forestry is a superb company to work for. We are looking for graduates with drive, enthusiasm and passion. Tilhill offers all its employees a friendly and challenging work environment with good personal and career development opportunities."

Tilhill Forestry Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the BSW Timber Group, was established more than 65 years ago.


If you're a recent graduate or studying for your degree, you can find out more about our graduate opportunities by visiting the careers section at www.tilhill.com Applications should be emailed to careers@tilhill.com and the process closes on 27^th February 2017.  Should you require further information, please contact Sharron Nimmo, HR Specialist on 01786 435000.

Read about some graduates who have recently joined the Tilhill Forestry programme:

Jude Fielding BA MSc

For Jude Fielding, studying forestry was a natural progression from his previous career in countryside estate management, and offered him a chance to follow in his father's footsteps who has been working in Forestry for nearly 30 years. Jude joined Tilhill Forestry's graduate scheme earlier this year after completing an MSc in Forestry at Aberdeen University. He is now an Assistant Forest Manager based at Tilhill's Devon office.

"In my previous job I enjoyed being able to work outside managing new planting schemes for the renewable energy industry. Having grown up in rural North Wales with a forester as a father, I was given many opportunities to spend time outdoors. However, to follow in my father's footsteps, I realised I needed to be qualified and doing a Masters at Aberdeen University was a logical choice," Jude explained.

He says that he chose Tilhill Forestry as it seemed one of the best graduate programmes in the forestry industry.

"Joining a graduate scheme is one of the best ways to get into this industry, allowing me instant management experience and responsibility, as well as the potential to gain further on the job training and qualifications that would be difficult elsewhere. Tilhill's training plan aims to give you the necessary training and experience within a few years to 'graduate' to become a fully-fledged forest manager."

He says: "I am really enjoying it. I get to spend on average two to three days a week in the woods, in all types of weather. The woodlands I am helping to manage become your second office, and they are wonderful places to be."

Jude's advice for anyone considering joining Tilhill Forestry: "It's a great company that will invest time in training you. The support you get in the office is fantastic and it's one of the best graduate schemes I've seen in the industry. There are lots of opportunities to learn and visit other offices that might be carrying out other types of woodland management not available in your area, and this helps expand your experiences. The difference with Tilhill is that it's a large company compared to most competitors and this offers a unique range of opportunities and experiences within the forestry industry."

Siân Jones MICFor, MSc Forestry

Assistant Forest Manager Siân Jones graduated with an MSc in Forestry from the University of Aberdeen. She was inspired to pursue forestry further whilst working for the Forestry Commission (now NRW) in south Wales following her undergraduate degree in Ecology at the University of Edinburgh.

Now based in Tilhill Forestry's Llandovery office, Siân is enjoying working on every aspect of forest management from timber sales and supervision of harvesting, to re-stocking and working on woodland creation schemes. UKWAS plans are also an important part of her work to make sure wood is certified and the timber can be sold with the FSC mark of socially, environmentally and economically sustainable forest management.

Siân has found working on woodland creation particularly rewarding. She explains: "It's fantastic being involved from start to finish – from meeting the client to firm up a proposal, to securing the grant and then managing the actual planting and maintenance. It's very satisfying being a part of every step."

Siân has been submitting plans for a number of schemes, including woodland creation on a 48-hectare site which she says is substantial for Wales at present.

When she started on the graduate scheme two years ago Siân didn't know what to expect but she says she has been impressed with the scheme.  "Tilhill makes you feel valued and I have had all sorts of formal and informal training that has exposed me to different aspects of the business and allowed me to build my skills rapidly. One of the things I like most is that through the Graduate Development Programme you build a network of people at the same stage as you with whom you can share experiences and keep in touch. I also like the flexibility of exploring what you are interested in. For instance I write a lot of plans because I'm good at it and enjoy writing them."

ENDS

For further information contact Suzi Christie PR Consultant for Tilhill Forestry on 01435 830031